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Cheltenham to Host Final Race in the Crystal Cup Cross Country Challenge 2010 07/10/10
Cheltenham Racecourse will host the final race of the Crystal Cup Challenge at December’s International meeting where the first European cross country champion will be crowned.
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Six European nations have teamed up to host this new cross country Steeplechase Challenge in 2010, that will identify the most successful stable to run horses over Europe’s unique cross country courses of hedges, walls, ditches, banks and rails.
The Crystal Cup brings together a total of 10 races in France, Belgium, Italy, the Czech Republic, Ireland and Great Britain, with combined prize money of over 700,000 euros. The most successful Stable, accumulating the highest number of points throughout the series, will receive the Crystal Cup and a cash bonus to be shared between the leading Trainer and Owner.
The 10 race series began in Pau (Western France) in February and has featured three further races in France at Fontainebleau, Lion d’Angers and Craon as well as the La Touche Cup at Punchestown, the 100,000 euros Grand Steeple Chase of Flanders at Waregem in Belgium and the Grand Cross at Merano in Italy. Remaining races in the series include the world famous Velka Pardubika in the Czech Republic, the Grand Steeple Chase at Compiégne and the Glenfarclas Cross Country race at Cheltenham.
Points are awarded to the first six horses to finish in each race, with extra bonus points awarded to horses that have travelled from abroad to take part. All runners taking part in the final race at Cheltenham in December will receive an additional bonus point.
Following seven races the current leader of the Crystal Sup series is French trainer Jerome Follain who has amassed 24 points following wins at Fontainebleau and Waregem.
Irish horse Another Jewel, trained by Denis Paul Murphy in Co Wexford and co-owned by his mother Catherine Murphy and Frank Magee, made history by becoming the first foreign trained horse to win the Prix Anjou-Loire Challenge in Lion d’Angers in May. In addition Denis Murphy has accumulated points at Punchestown, Craon and Merano securing second place with 21 points.
Legendary Czech Trainer/Jockey Josef Vana is currently lying in third place following a win and third place at Merano and is well placed to challenge the leaders with runners in the Velka Pardubika on October 10 and plans to bring his winner from Merano, Lutin Des Bordes, to Cheltenham in December.
"Cheltenham Racecourse is delighted to be hosting the final race of this exciting, six-nation initiative, that brings together Europe’s leading Cross Country racecourses to celebrate the most successful stable in the 10 chosen races in 2010", commented Edward Gillespie, President of the Crystal Cup.
"With three races remaining in the series the competition at the top of the leader board is very close and we look forward to welcoming runners from across Europe to take part in a thrilling final race on December 10th.
"We have been working on this project for many years and to have brought a Challenge together that involves six European nations is an enormous achievement for all concerned" continued Gillespie.
"Cross Country Steeplechasing is the form of Jump racing that promotes the best opportunities for international competition and we look forward to crowning a worthy winner in December."
For more information about the Crystal Cup please visit www.crystalcup.org
Racing fans can follow the news on Facebook at www.facebook.com/crystalcup and on Twitter @crystalcupraces
