David Cottin is well placed to wrest the lead in the Crystal Cup from Josef Vana, as the 12 leg pan-European cross country steeplechase challenge meets its 7th leg at Cheltenham this Friday.
Iceo Madrik has been given an attractive low weight to add to his victory in the sixth leg at Compiegne in early November, but a win outside France would earn the likeable Cottin double points in pursuit of the challenge, which offers €50,000 in bonuses to owners and trainers of the leading two horses.
Cottin announced his intent to pursue the challenge in the opening leg at Waregem in late August, when Placenet won handsomely. A win from the progressive Iceo Madrik on Friday would catapult Cottin to within 6 points of long time leaderboard favourite Vana, with the Czech trainer not running in England. The remaining 5 races take place either in France, at Cheltenham, or in Ireland, lending themselves to a strong French finish.
Cottin should be encouraged by the exploits of Sweet David in the corresponding Glenfarclas – sponsored chase at the November fixture, as Sweet David’s trainer had swerved running against Iceo Madrik at Compiegne on November 11th for the easier race at Cheltenham.
Current Trainer Leaderboard standings
Josef Vana (CZ) 39
Patrice Quinton (FR) 28
David Cottin (FR) 21
P Griffin (IRE) 16
Mystery surrounds the absence of any British-trained runner in the challenge. Despite favourable conditions applying to British-trained entries abroad, the Crystal Cup’s lucrative races have been largely ignored by the owner-trainer fraternity.
The Challenge moves to Pau on February 9th after Friday.
ENDS
Contact:
Peter McNeile, Crystal Cup – +44 7850 091523 or info@crystalcup.org
PUNCHESTOWN CROSS COUNTRY ADDED TO 2023-24 CRYSTAL CUP SCHEDULE
Following the cancellation of the Glenfarclas Cross Country Chase at the Cheltenham Festival due to a waterlogged track, the Crystal Cup committee has taken steps to ensure the unique pan-European competition maintains its 11 legs.
Punchestown’s Mongey Communications La Touche Cross Country Steeplechase, with a prize fund of €30,000, will be added to the series, with points afforded just as in the other legs. The 5yo+ Weight for Age Conditions chase is run over 4m 2f (6,800m), a distance only capped by the final race at Lion d’Angers on May 9th. Entries close on April 25th at noon (11am for foreign entries).
Conor O’Neill, CEO of Punchestown, commented, “We’re delighted to have been offered the chance to join this prestigious and unique series in the exceptional circumstances of this wet winter. A cordial Irish welcome awaits British and Continental runners over the unique banks course at Punchestown.”
Ian Renton, Managing Director of Cheltenham, added, ““We were naturally very disappointed not to be able to stage our leg of the Crystal Cup Series during the Festival due to the loss of the Glenfarclas Cross Country Chase. However, we are truly delighted that this has provided an opportunity for Punchestown to participate in the Series. Cheltenham is very proud of its cross-country course, the only one of its kind in England and we are wholly committed to the promotion of cross country racing and the Crystal Cup. We know that our racing fans very much enjoy the unique spectacle cross country brings, with many people travelling across Europe to witness other legs of this popular Series. The inclusion of an Irish leg in the Crystal Cup Series will be welcomed by many.”
Alain Peltier, Chairman of the Crystal Cup committee, concluded, “This season’s series has seen a flurry of Irish runners, not just at Cheltenham, where they are expected, but in other races of the series, notably when Roi Mage won at Compiegne in November. The Series has evolved to become a valid route to the Grand National, as well as producing some fabulous races in its own right. Punchestown is a natural addition and we’re thrilled to be there again after a long absence.”
Despite Irish enthusiasm for the Series’ races, this season has been dominated by the Czechs for the first time. In pursuit of the €20,000 bonus prize and the Crystal Cup, Scuderia Aichner SRL and trainer Josef Vana Jnr are in a commanding position requiring any other contender to win both remaining legs to deny them a first success in the challenge.
The 2024 Punchestown Festival takes place from Tuesday 30th April to Saturday 4th May. Over 100,000 people are expected to attend. For full event and ticket details please visit www.punchestown.com