The second meeting at Pardubice in the 2017 season, on Saturday, May 27^th, features the 25^th running of the Town of Pardubice Grand Prix crosscountry steeplechase, 5 800 metres. This is first of the four Velka Pardubicka qualification races. The other qualification races will be run at Pardubice in June, August and September.

Since mild weather and good ground cannot be guaranteed here in the summer months, it is probably a good idea to take advantage of the reasonable conditions that will be available this Saturday. Sixteen horses have been declared for the race, and an interesting contest is ensured. Last year’s VP winner, Charme Look, will be ridden again by Jan Faltejsek. Marek Stromský will again be on Nikas, which failed a drugs test after being first past the post in VP 2015.

There are plenty of other seasoned warriors in the field, both horses and jockeys, not to mention the trainers. Kasim won the May qualification race in 2016, and has several times been in the prizemoney in the Velka. He will be ridden by Marcel Novák. Zarif won the June qualification race in 2015, and has finished 6th, 2nd and 3rd in the last three Velkas. He will be ridden by Josef Bartoš. Hegnus, winner of the September qualification race in 2015, will be ridden by Niklas Lovén. Universe of Gracie, winner of the May qualification race in 2015, finished 4th in VP 2014 and 3rd in VP 2015. However, he seemed last year to be past his best. He will be ridden by young Pavel Složil jnr.

The main task on Saturday will be, in theory, to get round safely and have some more or less gentle preparation for the serious event on October 8th. However, it is hard to imagine the tough warriors ompeting in this race waving each other past if they are in with a chance of winning as they enter the finishing straight. Charme Look will be the favourite, but most of the others are capable of putting in a challenge.

The first race is at 1 pm, and there are eight competitive races on the card, all over fences.