The Crystal Cup leaderboard has a new challenger in Gavin Cromwell after Stumptown scored his fourth consecutive win over cross country fences at Cheltenham yesterday, and put himself in contention for the leading cross country horse in the challenge. For good measure, Cromwell’s other runner, Vanillier, was an 8 1/4l third, and might have been second but for nearly taking the wrong route early in the race, which lost him the lead and pushed him among the backmarkers.

Stumptown lay handy throughout under Keith Donoghue, now a winner of this race for a record fifth time, and although he hit a flat spot 4 out, rallied to reel in course and distance winner Latenightpass to win by 7l. He is now being aimed at the Grand National next month.

The second, Latenightpass, has an admirable record over these obstacles, winning twice and never out of the frame. Whilst he is entered at Aintree, a route through cross country races could well appeal.

The reputation of this race to renew the enthusiasm of horses that have lost form is very strong. The Goffer and Chemical Energy, winners of just 2 of their 20 steeplechases each, ran up to the best form to come fourth and sixth, whilst perpetual bridesmaid, Mister Coffey, second twice over this course before Christmas, ran on to be a 13 1/2l fifth. Craon winner Roi Mage ran seventh.

Although the winner is being aimed at the Grand National, the race may yet come too soon. Being little more than 3 weeks’ hence. Stumptown ran in snatches, Donoghue reporting he wasn’t necessarily at his best. Nevertheless he was good enough to defy top weight in this race that successfully reverted to handicap status. Contrary to the view of some professionals, and perhaps challengers from overseas more used to running in conditions races, the transition was a marked success.

Cromwell’s first and third places catapult him into contention for the leading trainer status in the Crystal Cup with just three races remaining. The top of the Trainer rankings has compressed, with three trainers within 7pts of each other. Whilst Josef Vana’s 40pts were accumulated early in the challenge, the mid-winter fixtures do not play to the advantage of horses trained in the Czech Republic, where harsher winters do not allow for a winter steeplechase programme. Beau Saonais or Gap Pierji are likely to reappear at Fontainebleau, but with Cromwell likely to run horses at Punchestown, the stage may be set for a showdown at Lion d’Angers at the end of May.