The 134th running of the famous Velka Pardubicka produced a heart-stopping result yesterday resulting in the first ever dead-heat in the history of the 6,900m (4m) race.

Sexy Lord, a well-beaten third here in a shorter qualifying race back in August, found the longer trip to his liking under Jan Faltjestek, but the renewed challenge in the final yards by Godfrey, successful here, a winner last time out back in May, under strong driving from Jaroslav Myska, was just enough for the judge to be unable to separate the pair on the line.

French-bred and ridden Dulcar de Sivola, under Thomas Beaurain, was 4 1/2l back in third, and heads to Compiegne next month, where he may meet Roi Mage, winner of the Crystal Cup leg at Craon.

Godfrey gets up on the line to produce a dead-heat with Sexy Lord

It was a first win in the race for trainer of Godfrey, Török Dalibor, whilst Sexy Lord’s handler Martina Růžičková was enjoying a second victory in Czechia’s most prestigious steeplechase, 8 years on from last time.

The international challenge, led by highest-rated in the field, Coko Beach, came to nought, when Keith Donoughue was unseated four out when travelling well. Streets of Doyen, the other Irish challenger, also unseated Ben Harvey at the same fence.

Courageous challenger Jeremy Pass, trained in the US by Joseph Davies, was pulled up by amateur rider Teddy Davies.

Sexy Lord’s rider, Jaroslav Myska, leads the field on the first circuit

Once again, local knowledge proved invaluable in a race with a strong international challenge, but this unique course, over different types of terrain and configuration, lends itself to horses that have already run over course, and/or distance. All 10 of the finishers had qualified over the course, and it requires either a highly adaptable horse or an exceptional one (or both) to succeed here.

It’s a Czech clean sweep, excepting French rider Thomas Beaurain, fourth from left, who finished 3rd on Dulcar de Sivola