OVER 14,000 racing fans turned out for the Crystal Cup cross-country meeting at Craon last Sunday compared to a few thousand at Saint-Cloud.

The enthusiasm at the provincial meeting is exceptional and the fans were not let down as the 6,000 metre (3m 6f) Crystal Cup ended with a grandstand finish.

In virtually the last stride in the gruelling chase, Vinga caught Diva De Teille to win by a short-head in the hands of English-born Felix de Giles.

Having such a name the French think he is one of them but the family is very much involved in English racing. Felix rode a cracker to win the €36,000 first prize for Emmanuel Clayeux and he is currently occupying sixth place in the jockey’s table with 30 victories 98 places and purses to the value of a fraction over €966,000.

Heading this list is James Reveley on the 66 mark and he has a leading chance of becoming the champion French jump jockey this season as his main rival, David Cottin, is on the injured list for a few months.

Reveley also had a nasty fall at Dieppe on August 26th. He was out of the saddle for a few days but had a double at Pompadour last Sunday.