VELKA PARDUBICKA RACEDAY – SUNDAY 12 OCTOBER 2014

RESULT OF BEST TURNED OUT HORSE

Orphée des Blins was a bit lame after completing her third win in the Velka Pardubicka. Trainer Greg Wroblewski says that she seems to have aggravated an old strain only slightly, and will be OK quite soon. Whether she will be retired, or will attempt to be the first ever horse to win the Velka in four successive years, will be decided later, by her owner, Jiří Travníček. Orphée has had long-term problems with her legs, and will be 13 years old next year. She has some hormonal imbalance which means that she will not be used for breeding.

Jan Faltejsek, who won the Velka Pardubicka for the third year in succession last Sunday, will ride his other favourite horse, Knockara Beau, in the Pertemps Handicap Hurdle Qualifier at Cheltenham on Friday, at 3.15. Knockara Beau is trained in Northumberland by George Charlton, in the yard where Jan spent several winters. Knockara Beau, which beat Big Buck's in the Cleeve Hurdle a year ago, with Jan on board, will be carrying top weight on Friday. Jan also rode Knockara Beau when he ran a good race in the Cheltenham Gold Cup, and he is looking forward to riding at Cheltenham again.  

First race

Lambro, trained by Charlie Mann, qualified for the Velka Pardubicka by completing a race at Warwick today (Thursday). The horse is expected to be among the declared runners for the Velka, to be announced tomorrow (Friday). Daryl Jacob is expected to given as Lambro's rider.  

September was, at last, a month with mild weather and reasonable rainfall. Temperatures have reached about 20°C most days, but not much higher. Rain has fallen frequently, but it has been steady rain – not like the very heavy but infrequent storms that we had in summer. The grass is now green, and the going has mainly been good.

Although we have three meetings in the Czech Republic this weekend, our thoughts, especially on Sunday, will be at Merano, where Alpha Two and five other Czech-trained runners will be competing in the Grand Premio, and at Bratislava, where the field for the Slovak St Leger will be headed by Cheeky Chappie, winner of the Czech Derby and St Leger.