Horse-by-horse guide to Velka Pardubicka
Friday 7 October 2011
The 121st Velka Pardubicka Chase, run in the Czech Republic and one of the most spectacular races in the world, will be shown live (race-clashes permitting) at 3.25pm on Racing UK on Sunday.
Get International Racing Bureau's James Fry's horse-by-horse guide to the race, which covers a total of 31 obstacles over a mix of grass and light plough, with the showpiece rivaling only the Grand National in terms of testing a horse's ability and stamina, and horsemanship.
Spotlights
MANDARINO
Not in great form at present and one of the outsiders 30/1
FLAMBION
Won his last race in Bratislava but faces a much harder task here 60/1
ASPIRANT
Only two runs this season and came third on both occasions. Not without a chance of making the frame 11/1
VALLDEMOSO
One of the new kids on the block and bang in form. Must be in with a chance of upstaging the regulars 7/1
BREMEN PLAN
Well beaten on latest start here in Pardubice – Hard to see this one winning but not totally out of it 20/1
TREZOR
Four runs this season with figures of 4242. There are definitely others that are more fancied 20/1
ZULEJKA
Fourth on latest start here in Pardubice. Could possibly be a lively outsider at a nice price 16/1
LIRAIN
One of three runners for Josef Vana and probably number three in the pecking order – other two preferred 14/1
AMANT GRIS
Not quite the force of old but if anywhere near back to his best he would give them a run for their money 8/1
KLAUS
Another youngster in the field who is in good form and definitely has a chance of taking the crown off Vana 6/1
KARLSBAD
Despite showing improved form on latest when 2nd it is very difficult to see this one being in the shake up 55/1
WAVELIGHT LASER
Just the one win in 16 starts over fences and does not have the services of regular pilot Jan Faltejsek 25/1
TEVIOT
Has not won since 2009 and has only run four times since. Price reflects his chance 40/1
SIXTEEN
Winner of this race twice and is the second string of Josef Vana – Jockey Josef Bartos hoping to win the race for the 3rd time but this 11 year old mare may be showing signs of her age and is not in the best of form but do not count her out 6/1
TIUMEN
Well what can one say – the mount of the legendary Josef Vana and bidding for a hat-trick of wins. Is bound to be the fancy of the whole Czech nation and will go off a very short priced favourite 2/1
Conclusion:
It appears to be between three of the old campaigners – Tiumen, Amant Gris and Sixteen and the two new kids on the block Valldemoso and Klaus. If the two youngsters can stay the trip they must be in with a chance of taking the prize away from Josef Vana but experience counts for everything around this course and Vana has seen it and done it all before. It would be a brave man to take the crown away from the legendary Josef Vana!
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