@simondlh:
The 50hrs XC must be met at the time of application (i.e. before the checkride). You can log XC for any training flight which goes beyond circling your local airport for shooting approaches. However, if that can be logged as PIC is another question. Our national CAA says you can if you have a type rating. Also note that the majority of IR training takes place in the simulator. You can do just 10hrs in the aircraft, so this will not increase your XC time by much.