Carberry to partner Story in France Nina Carberry travels to Le Lion-d'Angers in France this Thursday to ride the Michael Hourigan-trained A New Story in the Prix Anjou-Loire Challenge, the longest cross-country race in the world. The contest, worth €112,000, takes place over an extended four and a half miles and is the fourth race in the Crystal Cup Cross Country Challenge. The race has attracted five Irish and British runners - last year's winner Another Jewel (Denis Murphy, Ireland - John Cullen), A New Story (Michael Hourigan, Ireland - Miss Nina Carberry), Maljimar (Nick Williams, GB - James Reveley) and Pass Me By (Suzy Smith, GB - Mr Angelo Gasnier). "He's travelled over all right and we're really looking forward to it," said Hourigan from France. "I haven't yet seen the course apart from on tape, but I think there's only 12 or 13 runners and the prize money is very good. "It's a long race, but the horse is very well. We've got Nina riding him as my usual jockey (Adrian Heskin) is out of action for a few months." The 2010 Prix Anjou-Loire Challenge went to Another Jewel by two and a half lengths on soft ground and he finished the year as the leading horse in the inaugural Crystal Cup series. Another Jewel was triumphant at the Punchestown Festival this year on May 5th, narrowly beating Let the Show Begin in the La Touche Cup, the third race in the 10-race series. The Crystal Cup series culminates at Cheltenham racecourse on December 9th, when the leading trainer and owner of the series will be awarded the Crystal Cup and share €40,000 in prize money.
