Nikas, disqualified for failing a drugs test after being first past the post in the 2015 Velka Pardubicka, has moved to a new trainer. Owner Petr Kupka explained that he was seriously demotivated by the unpleasantness surrounding the disqualification and the subsequent protracted dealings with the supplier of the contaminated foodstuffs that are blamed for the disqualification. He just wants the possibility of enjoying being the owner of a Velka Pardubicka contender again, and he hopes a change of trainer will do the trick.

Nikas, now 12 years old, is being trained at Světlá Hora by Dr Čestmír Olehla, who has already trained six winners of the Velka: Železník, the only four-time winner of the race, and two-time winner Registana.