Forty-three horses have been entered for the 126^th running of the Velka Pardubicka with Česká pojišťovna, which will be run at Pardubice on Sunday, October 9^th. This is the smallest number of entries in recent years, but the quality appears to be good. Just five of the entries are trained outside the Czech Republic. Vinga, trained by Emmanuel Clayeux, won the Crystal Cup race recently at Lion d’Anger, with Roi Garry, trained by Patrice Quinton, in 6^th place. Patrice Quinton also trains Un Fou, which has not yet run in 2016. Roi Garry won a crosscountry race at Durtal on April 24^th.

Bless the Wings, trained by Gordon Elliot, finished 2^nd in the Irish Grand National, beaten by a short head by Rogue Angel, at Leopardstown on March 28^th, and then finished 7^th in the La Touche Cup at Punchestown at the end of April.

Peer Cooper, trained by Jaroslav Brečka in Slovakia, won a crosscountry at Pardubice on May 7^th, but it was this 9-y-o’s first race over fences.

The Czech-trained entries include Nikas, the disqualified winner in 2015, and Ribelino, which was moved up to first place after the disqualification.

Josef Váňa has just five entries this year: Rabbit Well, Zarif, Rabbit Hawk Wing, Power Zar and Ange Guardian. Rabbit Well and Zarif were well backed to win the race in 2015, and could do well this year. Josef Váňa, snr. has mentioned that Rabbit Hawk Wing might be a suitable horse for himself to ride. Ange Guardian won the First of May Steeplechase at Lysá recently, and six days later, at Pardubice, Power Zar won the Korok Opening Crosscountry Chase. Josef Váňa again has a strong hand this year.

Čestmir Olehla has four entries. Hegnus, winner of the Labe Stakes on VP day in 2015, is a real prospect. Reaper, son of Registana, is quite promising. Klaus is still only 11, and has twice finished 3rd in the VP. Pareto seems to be past his best.

Eight trainers have two entries each, but in most cases, neither of their horses has more than an outside chance: František Holčák (Gauner Danon, Puntarenas), Radek Holčák (Peintre Abstrait, Lingarry), Antonín Novák (Templář, Ter Mill), Jana Junková(Love the Win, Rendez Vous), Pavel Poles (Jam Taki, Amaragon).

However, Stanislav Popelka has Nikas, and also Modena, which finished 7th last year. Radek Žalud trains the outsider Un Tiep, and also Al Jaz, which memorably finished 2^nd not far behind Orphée des Blins in 2014. Martina Ružíčková trains the outsider Floridas, and also Charme Look, which won the Vltava Stakes on VP day 2015. Charme Look has a lady owner, a lady trainer, and, we hope, a lady rider, Barbora Malková, and all of them together just might be good enough to make October 9th a very special day.

An interesting entry is the talented Cherwick, now trained by Pavel Tůma. Last Saturday, he once again clambered to the top of the Irish Bank, and when he got there, dug his heels in. He has done that three times now, maybe four times. Very annoying. Unfortunately, Trezor is not among the entries.

Eighteen of the Czech-trained entries for the VP are also entered for the May qualification race, which will be run at Pardubice on Saturday, May 21^st.

40901 126. VELKÁ PARDUBICKÁ s Českou pojišťovnou
Stcc L - 6+ - 6900 m - 5 000 000 Kč, Přihlášeno koní: 43 / 43