Problem horse Rabbit Well won the First of May Steeplechase at Lysa-nad-Labem very easily, with a display of the great ability that we know he has, and none of the obstinacy that has hung over him for years. He moved a year ago to Josef Vana's yard, and still only sometimes agrees to compete in his races. On May 1st, he was for the second time ridden by Jan Kratochvil - and on each of these two occasions he has been totally calm and cooperative, and has won easily. This was Jan's third winning ride already this year, and his first ever win in a Category I race. We badly need a dozen good young steeplechase riders, and Jan Kratochvil, who works in the Vana yard, appears to be developing into one of them.

Another rider who had a red-letter day at Lysa was Ivan Siegl. He rode Rabbit Librettist to victory in the last race - his first winner since June 2000. He has had over 190 unsuccessful rides since then, mostly on unfancied and inexperienced hurdlers and chasers. Well done, Ivan Siegl.