Most of the runners in the Czech Derby will have had their final preparatory race either at Prague Velka Chuchle on May 31^st or at Bratislava on June 7^th. Half a dozen horses ran well enough at Velka Chuchle to suggest they have a real chance in the 95^th running of the Mercedes Benz Derby at Velka Chuchle on Sunday June 21^st. At Bratislava, there was a 10-horse field, and seven of them were entered for the Czech Dery. However, only two horses emerged from the race looking like contenders for the big race.

The Bratislava track is much tighter than the Velka Chuchle track. There are three bends to negotiate in a mile-and-a-half race, and the straights are much shorter. Valmont Ohne set a gentle pace, followed by Ideal Approach and the odds-on favourite, Aldar. Before the last bend, Ideal Approach took the lead, followed by Kifaaya. However, Ideal Approach ran very wide on the last behind and spoiled his chances. Aldar was taken to the front, and won easily without being ridden out. Ideal Approach came back quite well to finish 2^nd, 4 lengths behind, with Henrytheaeroplane 3^rd, sixth lengths further back, and Kifaaya further back in 4^th place.

Aldar has now won all his 5 races in Central Europe, including the Czech Two Thousand Guineas, though he finished last in a race in France as a 2-y-o. He is owned by Ramzan Kadyrov, trained by Arslangirej Šavujev, and was ridden by Bauyrzhan Murzabayev. If the choice between riding Aldar or Aldzarb in the Czech Derby is left to Murzabayev, it will not be very easy for him, but it is assumed that he would choose Aldar. Ideal Approach showed some ability, but was hard to handle. All the others were well beaten, and would need to improve dramatically on their previous performances to have a chance in the Derby.