The Mercedes-Benz Czech Derby will be run at Prague Velká Chuchle racecourse on Thurday, June 23rd, at 7.30 p.m. The non-traditional day and time is due to the sponsor’s insistence that the race must be shown on Czech television. As there are no European Nations Cup football matches on June 23rd, this date was chosen.

The runners have just a little more form than usual over distances greater than a mile. Nevertheless, it has again been an unenviable task for the handicappers to (virtually) select the 16 runners by the ratings that they have awarded them. Timekeeper won the main Derby trial at Prague Velká Chuchle quite impressively, and will be well fancied. Another favoured runner is Gontchar, trained here by Arslangirej Šavujev. This horse has won one of his six races, all of them in France. Is this really good enough form for a favourite in the Czech Derby?

The jinx on Jiří Charvát’s attempts to win the Derby struck early this year. Trip to Sydney, one of the favourites for the race before the main trial, managed to finish only 10th in that race, and is now below the line for next Thursday’s race.

There are four supplementary entries, three of which ran well in the main Derby trial: Gold Devil (2nd), Krasava (3rd), and Eruption (5th), and also Rumpl Cimpr Campr, which the handicapper awarded an arguably generous rating for winning a Category III race at Most.

The supporting races on Derby day are full of quality and interest, and the racecourse is always well prepared for the big day. There has been some good rain recently, and the grass will be green. The medium-range weather forecast is for more rain over the weekend, and a warm day on June 23rd.

The first race on Derby day will be at 5 p.m. The recommended way to arrive at the racecourse is by train from Hlavní nádraží or from Praha - Smichovské nádraží to Praha - Velká Chuchle. Trains leave Hlavní nádraží at 1617, 1627, 1647, 1657, 1717, 1727, 1747 and 1757 on Thursday afternoon. The journey from Hlavní nádraží takes between 12 and 14 minutes. The same trains leave Praha - Smichovské nádraží at 1625, 1635, 1655, 1705, 1725, 1755 and 1805. The journey from Praha - Smichovské nádraží to Praha - Velká Chuchle takes 5 minutes.

There is limited car parking at the racecourse, and it is not safe to park a car on the roadside anywhere near the racecourse. The train is therefore particularly recommended on Derby day. Praha - Velká Chuchle railway station is adjacent to the main entrance to the racecourse.

Runners and riders: http://www.dostihyjc.cz/startky.php