The 135th running of the Velka Pardubicka has attracted a solid 16 entries that include two of the first three 12 months ago, and the best cross country horse in Britain and Ireland.

Of the home team, Sexy Lord, who with Godfrey, delivered the first ever dead-heat in the Velka’s history, is lined up to win the race outright this time around by trainer Martina Růžičková in the level weights contest over 6,900m (4 1/2m). The nine year old has run sparingly since, qualifying for this race in May with victory in a 500,000 Kč (£20,000) chase over 5,800m at Pardubice. Regular rider Jaroslav Myška is likely to be engaged again.

The paucity of Czech riders saw Thomas Beaurain take the ride on Dulcar de Sivola in last year’s race for trainer Luboš Urbánek, and the ploy nearly worked. The 12 year old French-bred was only 4 1/2l behind that epic finish. He looks to be coming to hand nicely for next month, after a couple of pipe-openers and a recent comfortable win in a qualifier at Pardubice earlier in the month. Second-placed Araucarias renews rivalry for trainer Veronika Lampochnerová, but the French-bred is yet to win since he left France last year, a cross country over 4,100m at Pau in February 2024 his last view of the winner’s berth. Lampochnerová has also entered Zarate, a first ride at Pardubice last year for James Best when third to Dumon Roclay in a supporting race.

Charyjape, Klark Kent and Cuwall all have ground to make up on Dulcar de Sivola on qualifying races at Pardubice this summer, albeit that age is on their side, being 8 year olds.

Another 8 year old, Dumon Roclay, was a winner of a shorter steeplechase preceding the Velka Pardubicka 12 months ago, a stepping stone to the big race. He opened his Spring with a comfortable win over 2,900m but has found the winning formula harder to come by since.

It’s difficult to make any sort of case for Godsalino or for High In The Sky, despite the latter running into the minor placings twice this summer, at a respectful distance from the winner each time.

Now 12, Sacamiro won the Velka Pardubicka in 2023, but was off the track for the whole of 2024. He’s yet to find the same form that preceded the break, his best a 5l fourth to Chelmsford at Pardubice in August. Nevertheless, experience counts for a great deal around this race, and the trainer – rider combination of Eva Petříková and Jan Faltejsek offers some hope of a dream comeback.

This looks a tough ask for six year old Stormmy, yet to win over fences, but nine year old Ztracenka is not out of it, a half length second to Sexy Lord here in May his main credentials.

Foreign runners have a poor record at Pardubice, and there has been no British or Irish winner since It’s A Snip in 1995, 30 years ago. However, the efforts of Coko Beach last year have encouraged Gavin Cromwell to enter Stumptown, winner of 7 chases, who has taken well to cross country racing. A winner twice over Cheltenham’s cross country course last season, including at the Festival, Stumptown flung Cromwell briefly into the running for Crystal Cup honours, and this might define his challenge in the prevailing season.

The international challenge is made up by the Peter Maher – trained Cavalry Master. The former Gordon Elliott- trained Cavalry Master has a mixed record over cross country obstacles, but was only just out of the finish in a recent handicap at Galway. On his official rating, he’d have something to find, but the unique nature of the Velka can encourage performance well outside the norm, and in Maher, he has a trainer well versed in these types of international race.

A further supplementary entry is available until October 2nd.