Small fields have been plaguing the British summer Jumps programme for months, and whilst the current easing of the weather is welcome, it won't alleviate the underlying problems of the sport brought about by the wrong ground conditions.
Visiting Craon in western France over the weekend, you would never think the drought, that has seen vast tracts of Les Landes aflame all summer, was affecting French racing the same way. Craon's mixed cards over 3 days included 4 steeplechases, 2 cross country chases and one hurdle race, with very respectable fields.
Unlike many of our summer fixtures here, where your trainer is nowhere to be seen, or is represented by a travelling head lad or pupil assistant, Craon attracts the area's trainers, and some from further afield. The highlight is the €75,000 Grand Cross de Craon, a cross country variant on the traditional steeplechase, and a sixth leg to the international cross country championship, the Crystal Cup.
For fans of the Glenfarclas Cross Country races at Cheltenham, where the twists and turns require a thorough knowledge of the track's configuration, Craon is equally, if not more bewildering. Three circuits take in banks, ditches, plough, a road, and the awesome talus anglaise in front of the stands. It's a race that needs a real horseman as much as a rider.
Enter then a man who has spent this summer working with Emanuel Clayeux in Charlie Deutsch, the thinking man's rider. His seat and hands have made hima go-to choice for many trainers in the UK, and helped cement his partnership with Venetia Williams, whose runners are unlikely to appear until ground descriptions include the word soft in them. SUmmer is patently not her season, at least for training winners.
Charlie's summer to date has brought 29 rides and 4 winners, the last actually one for Jennie Candlish at Dieppe last month. Although primarily with Clayeux, his spell in France has drawn the attention of those based permanetly here including Louisa Carberry and Sophie Leech.
Favourite Bomari was well fancied for the Grand Cross de Craon, but in the final reckoning, it was Twirling, ridden by Paul Denis, successful in one of the other 5 steeplechases over the three days, that won the day for Christophe Dubourg. A one-fisted salute on passing the post gave some indication that this is not some ordinary race.
Some 20,000 spectators attend Craon's Trois Glorieuses, which is in stark contrast, say to Auteuil, where even the biggest days attract what seem modest crowds. This is horse country, with a training centre at Sennones not far away, other racecourses and a vibrant federation supporting its horse sports. Saumur, home of the famous Spanish Riding School is less than 90 mns drive away. In short, here the horse is king, and it's most welcome to see.
The great and good are in attendance. At a reception to celebrate this 175th year of the racecourse, luminaries like the retired Francois Doumen mixed with promoters of cross country races from all over Europe, including Waregem and Pardubice, and owners and trainers from the Pays de la Loire and well beyond. The whole represents a reaffirmation of the joie de vivre that accompanies racing.
As to Charlie Deutsch's two mounts, sadly there was no fairy tale. In the first steeplechase, a loose horse nearly took out half the field, and Charlie's mount Gironde was badly hampered which put paid to his chances. In the cross country, he played second fiddle to James Reveley on the stable's first choice Lucky Net Love, who finsihed fourth. The Deutsch horse Gamine Apple's brought up the rear.
Some years back, Balthazar King was sent over by Philip Hobbs to win this race. Sadly, Brexit costs conspire to deter English runners presently, and the sport's leading advocate, Nick Williams, has actually emigated to France to set up at Moulins, near Vichy, alongside Nick Littmoden. But the enduring appeal of this race, and this racecourse, make it even money that more will return in the years to come.
If you are a racing nut, this is a course you should have on your bucket list.
Small fields have been plaguing the British summer Jumps programme for months, and whilst the current easing of the weather is welcome, it won't alleviate the underlying problems of the sport brought about by the wrong ground conditions.
Visiting Craon in western France over the weekend, you would never think the drought, that has seen vast tracts of Les Landes aflame all summer, was affecting French racing the same way. Craon's mixed cards over 3 days included 4 steeplechases, 2 cross country chases and one hurdle race, with very respectable fields.
Unlike many of our summer fixtures here, where your trainer is nowhere to be seen, or is represented by a travelling head lad or pupil assistant, Craon attracts the area's trainers, and some from further afield. The highlight is the €75,000 Grand Cross de Craon, a cross country variant on the traditional steeplechase, and a sixth leg to the international cross country championship, the Crystal Cup.
For fans of the Glenfarclas Cross Country races at Cheltenham, where the twists and turns require a thorough knowledge of the track's configuration, Craon is equally, if not more bewildering. Three circuits take in banks, ditches, plough, a road, and the awesome talus anglaise in front of the stands. It's a race that needs a real horseman as much as a rider.
Enter then a man who has spent this summer working with Emanuel Clayeux in Charlie Deutsch, the thinking man's rider. His seat and hands have made hima go-to choice for many trainers in the UK, and helped cement his partnership with Venetia Williams, whose runners are unlikely to appear until ground descriptions include the word soft in them. SUmmer is patently not her season, at least for training winners.
Charlie's summer to date has brought 29 rides and 4 winners, the last actually one for Jennie Candlish at Dieppe last month. Although primarily with Clayeux, his spell in France has drawn the attention of those based permanetly here including Louisa Carberry and Sophie Leech.
Favourite Bomari was well fancied for the Grand Cross de Craon, but in the final reckoning, it was Twirling, ridden by Paul Denis, successful in one of the other 5 steeplechases over the three days, that won the day for Christophe Dubourg. A one-fisted salute on passing the post gave some indication that this is not some ordinary race.
Some 20,000 spectators attend Craon's Trois Glorieuses, which is in stark contrast, say to Auteuil, where even the biggest days attract what seem modest crowds. This is horse country, with a training centre at Sennones not far away, other racecourses and a vibrant federation supporting its horse sports. Saumur, home of the famous Spanish Riding School is less than 90 mns drive away. In short, here the horse is king, and it's most welcome to see.
The great and good are in attendance. At a reception to celebrate this 175th year of the racecourse, luminaries like the retired Francois Doumen mixed with promoters of cross country races from all over Europe, including Waregem and Pardubice, and owners and trainers from the Pays de la Loire and well beyond. The whole represents a reaffirmation of the joie de vivre that accompanies racing.
As to Charlie Deutsch's two mounts, sadly there was no fairy tale. In the first steeplechase, a loose horse nearly took out half the field, and Charlie's mount Gironde was badly hampered which put paid to his chances. In the cross country, he played second fiddle to James Reveley on the stable's first choice Lucky Net Love, who finsihed fourth. The Deutsch horse Gamine Apple's brought up the rear.
Some years back, Balthazar King was sent over by Philip Hobbs to win this race. Sadly, Brexit costs conspire to deter English runners presently, and the sport's leading advocate, Nick Williams, has actually emigated to France to set up at Moulins, near Vichy, alongside Nick Littmoden. But the enduring appeal of this race, and this racecourse, make it even money that more will return in the years to come.
If you are a racing nut, this is a course you should have on your bucket list.
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