Among the Irish- and UK-trained entries for the Velka Pardubicka, the most likely runners are Shalimar Fromentro and Zest for Life. 7-y-o Shalimar Fromentro, owned by Jane Williams and trained Nick Williams, finished 5^th in the Crystal Cup race at Craon on September 8^th. Nick Williams is in contention to be the top trainer in the Crystal Cup series, which includes the Velka Pardubicka . James Reveley is the likely jockey.

9-y-o Zest for Life finished unplaced in a hurdles race at Listowel on September 18^th, but ran twice at the Punchestown festival meeting in April, winning once and then being beaten by a short head. Running a horse in a hurdles race as a "sharpener" is favoured by some Irish trainers as a way of preparing a horse for big races and perhaps lowering their handicap rating in the process. Zest for Life is owned by Robert Miller-Blackwell and is trained by Enda Bolger in Ireland. Enda Bolger may also consider running Keep on Track or Mount Sion, if they go well in warm-up races in the next week.

The declaration-to-run date for the Velka Pardubicka is October 4^th.