The only meeting in the Czech Republic this coming weekend is at Světlá Hora, in the highlands near Bruntál, north of Olomouc, where we will be the guests of trainer Čestmir Olehla and the community of Světla Hora. A big effort will be made to put on a special afternoon of horseracing and other entertainments. The seven races will consist of two crosscountry races, two classical steeplechases, two hurdles races and a bumper.

Each of the races has attracted seven or more runners. Josef Váňa, who spent several years at the Světlá Hora training centre, is bringing a number of runners from his distant training centre near Karlovy Vary. Čestmir Olehla is also sending out plenty of runners, including two of the progeny of Registana – 6-y-o Regine and 4-y-o Rafa.

Several old favourites that I thought had retired have been declared to run. 13-y-o Tomis will run in the feature race, in which 12-y-o Rubín will be ridden by Martina Růžicková. Valldemoso will run in the other cross-country race. If he is fit again, he will be fancied to win. In the final race, Registana‘s son, Rafa, will be ridden by Čestmir Olehla’s daughter, Veronika, and they appear to have a very good chance of winning.

The first race is at 1.10 p.m.