The 125^th Velka Pardubicka was run on a chilly afternoon on good ground. Twenty-two horses went to the start, and there was much interest in whether temperamental co-favourite Rabbit Well would get away with the others. He did.

An e-mail arrived at Pardubice racecourse last weekend stating the Frankie Dettori was interested in coming over for Velka Pardubicka day. This caused some skepticism, as every racecourse receives a number of such messages before each big occasion, together with a request for VIP treatment for a great personality and her/his entourage.