Malberaux aims for fourth country crown
Preview: France, Sunday
Pau: Prix Gaston de Bataille (Listed cross-country chase) 3m7f, 6yo+
MALBERAUX (Philippe Cottin/David Cottin) stands onthe brink of a remarkable fourth successive victory in what is colloquially known as the Grand Cross de Pau, which serves as the opening round of the Crystal Cup cross country series.
The freezing weather which currently holds most ofEurope in its icy grip could prove the main obstacle to the nine-year-old completing the four-timer.
Assuming the meeting beats the frost and forecast snow, Malberauxhas a length and a half to make up with Majaresca (Eric Lecoiffier/Fabien Dehez) on their meeting over 3m1f at the course last month, but is 6lb better off under Sunday's conditions.
David Cottin: expecting good run
PICTURE: Edward WhitakerDavid Cottin has been supervising the gelding's training at Pau while father Philippe looks after the bulk of his string in the Pays de Loire, and feels there will be more to come on the big day.
"It wasn't a bad run, because he finished second, but he wasn't quite at the top of his form," explained Cottin. "But he's been training very well, and he seems as good to me now as he has been in previous years, so I'm expecting a really good performance on Sunday."
Reigning Crystal Cup champion trainer Jerome Follain will rely on Quick Baby (Anthony Thierry) at the start of his defence.
Quick Baby finished a close-up third behind Majaresca and Malbereaux in the Prix Cheltenham-Glenfarclas, and was fourth in this race 12 months ago.
Another looking to improve on last year's effort will be runner-up Onde De Choc (Jean-Pierre Totain/Nathalie Desoutter), having finished fourth in 2010.
Trainers and owners will need to be represented in a minimum of three rounds to qualify for the final Crystal Cup standings this year, of which at least two must be abroad.
The ten-race series will takes in such historic events as the La Touche Cup at Punchestown and the Velka Pardubika in the Czech Republic, before reaching its climax at Cheltenham in December.
Also on Sunday
Pau: 125th Grande Course de Haies de Pau (Listed hurdle) 2m4½f, 5yo+
In terms of class trainer Guy Cherel looks to hold the key, with Kinglaska (Bertrand Thelier) and Rushwell (Mathieu Delage) both veterans of several top events at Auteuil and Enghien.
Kinglaska has proved frustrating since his last win in the Grande Course at Enghien in November 2010, but Cherel believes the six-year-old retains plenty of ability.
"Kinglaska has been running over fences, but he's been a bit too careful," said Cherel on Thursday. "Over hurdles, if he gives his true running on Sunday, he could win as he likes."
The Maison-Laffitte trainer is more realistic in his ambitions for Rushwell, who was seventh in the Group 1 Grand Prix d'Automne at Auteuil behind La Segnora on his last start over hurdles.
"Rushwell ran well over hurdles at Auteuil, but his real aptitude is for chasing," said Cherel. "He definitely has place prospects, but to win would be asking a lot."
The likely market leader is Mobi (Francois-Marie Cottin/David Cottin), who fell in a handicap chase at the track last month, but previously had several of Sunday's rivals behind him when second to the useful Tell No One on New Years Eve.
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