Although we have three meetings in the Czech Republic this weekend, our thoughts, especially on Sunday, will be at Merano, where Alpha Two and five other Czech-trained runners will be competing in the Grand Premio, and at Bratislava, where the field for the Slovak St Leger will be headed by Cheeky Chappie, winner of the Czech Derby and St Leger.

At Brno on Saturday, first race at 2 pm, the main race is the Category II Brno Autumn Steeplechase, which has attracted quite a good field. At Karlovy Vary, also on Saturday, first race at 2.30, there are rather small fields. The main race is the Winter Queen Stakes, Category I, for 2-y-o fillies.

On Sunday at Prague Velka Chuchle, the first race is at 1 pm. There will be two Category I races. The 93^rd Ben Car St Wenceslas Prize, for 3-y-o and older, 1200 metres, has attracted a competitive field, headed by Waka Laura and Mikesh. The Category I Gerscha Memorial, for 2-y-os, has attracted just five runners. Three of them, Aldar, Alzarb and Ski Marathon, are trained by Arslangirej Šavujev, and they will be fancied to take the first three places. Bauyrzhan Murzabajev has chosen to ride Aldar.