Like the second qualification race, the Chládek & Tintěra Stakes, the third of the four Velka Pardubicka qualification races, was run on a hot afternoon. There were 20 runners, and even three horses below the line, and most of the leading Czech contenders for the VP were in the field. Trainer Martina Růžičková had to look for a replacement rider for Charme Look, after Barbora Málková was concussed in a fall two races earlier. It is not easy to find a competent spare rider when there is a field of 20 at Pardubice. Lukáš Sloup stepped in and had his biggest ever win in a long career in the Czech Republic, though he also achieved notable win on Ländler in the Swedish Grand National at Strömsholm in 2015.

Charme Look took the lead half way through the race, and he stormed down the finishing straight with a comfortable margin over two Váňa-trained horses, Ange Guardian, which had lost a few lengths at the start, and Rabbit Well. Fourth place went to Ribelino, which finally put in a good performance after fiascos in his three earlier outings this year (pulled up, pulled up and brought down). This time, Ribelino was ridden by English jockey Thomas Garner. Three other horses finished not far behind the leaders: Hegnus, Zarif and Trezor.

Four others struggled round well beaten: Rendez Vous, Al Jaz, Peintre Abstrait and Peer Cooper.

Six were pulled up: Gauner Danon, Cherwick, Jam Taki, Kasim, Reaper and Status Quo. Cherwick again teetered for quite a while on top of the Irish Bank. By the time he came down, the race was lost, and he was soon pulled up. Three fell: Amaragon, Broker and Nikas.

Of the 11 finishers, five were already qualified for the VP: Al Jaz, Hegnus, Rabbit Well, Zarif and Ribelino). Five are newly-qualified for the race (Charme Look, Ange Guardian, Rendez Vous, Peintre Abstrait and Peer Cooper). Trezor qualified for the race, but he is not entered. There are already 26 horses qualified for the VP, which will be run at Pardubice on Sunday, October 9^th. Broker, Gauner Danon, Cherwick, Jam Taki and Status Quo remain unqualified, but can try again at Pardubice on September 10^th.

Charme Look’s connections were of course delighted to win the qualification race, but their joy was tempered by their sadness that Bára Málková missed the ride. Bára has for a long time played the main role in preparing the horse for his races. Lukáš Sloup was delighted with his chance ride, and made it clear that he would like nothing better than to ride Charme Look again.

It will only happen if Barbora Málková is unavailable. Trainer Martina Růžičková knows all about being a girl dreaming of winning the Velka Pardubicka. Charme Look’s owner, Mrs Dušková, is understood also to be dreaming of the first VP winner to be owned, trained and ridden by a woman. They definitely have a chance.

Barbora Málková: I’ve never been afraid to ride http://www.dostihovy-svet.cz/en/node/5807