Speed Emile, winner of this month’s opening Crystal Cup leg at Waregem, graduated to Group 1 company on Sunday when winning the 136th running of the Gran Premio Merano, with a prize fund of €270,000.

The Macaire-Lageneste trained 6 year old had 1 2/4l to spare at the line over Gangster de Coddes, one of a squadron of runners taken to Merano by Josef Vana. The fourth in that Waregem chase, Grand de Thaix, was a further 2 1/4l back in third.

Pacemaker Krokodile Dundee made a searching pace, but the 9 year old Rail Link gelding was always handy. Three Vana – trained horses ranged up to challenge 2 out, Grand de Thaix and Gangster des Coddes ranging up to wrest the lead from the pacemaker. But Baptiste Leclerc had enough in hand on Speed Emile to join the leader at the last. Quickly away, he was able to assert despite Josef Bartos’ efforts on Gangster des Coddes to close the gap.

It seems unlikely we will see Speed Emile on the cross country circuit in the foreseeable future; he is destined for bigger prizes at Auteuil and Pau. However, Vana has taken to campaigning his horses abroad, and France is very much on his agenda. Listed cross country races at Compiegne and Fontainebleau could certainly be on the agenda for Grand de Thaix.

See full result here