The number of entries for the 127^th Velka Pardubicka, to be run at Pardubice racecourse on Sunday, October 8^th, is lower than in previous years, but for a good reason. In the past, it was much less expensive to enter a horse for the race in May than at a later stage. Now, the May entry costs CzK 10 000, whereas a late entry made 17 days before the race costs CzK 30 000. While most Czech owners and trainers have already decided whether to target their horse for the Velka, the option of waiting four more months makes sense for foreign trainers, and for the connections of Czech horses which have not yet shown that they are ready for the big race in October.

There are just three entries from abroad at this stage. Ole Companero, trained in France by Guillaume Macaire, finished 3^rd to Kazzio in the Gran Premio at Merano in 2015. Virtus d’Estruval, also trained by Guillaume Macaire won the Crystal Cup series race at Compiègne in 2016. Both of these horses could be serious contenders, but Vive Paolo, trained in Slovakia by Ján Cagáň, is a modest performer.

All but one of the first eight past the post in the 2016 VP are entered again. However, the name of Hegnus, which finished 5th, is missing. In addition, Nikas, disqualified after being first past the post in 2015, has not been entered. Perhaps Čestmír Olehla, trainer of both of these horses, is taking the option of considering a late entry at the end of September. 2015 winner, Ribelino, which had an unfortunate season in 2016, is entered for this year’s race.

Two particularly interesting entries are Delight My Fire and Sergeant Thunder. Delight My Fire ran well before falling at Cheltenham last December, after winning the Labe Stakes on Velka Pardubicka day and then winning the Velká Slušovická at Slušovice impressively. Sergeant Thunder, previously trained in the UK, was unbeaten in his four races last year. He won both of the main steeplechases of the season at Wroclaw, in Poland - the Crystal Cup trial race and the Wielka Wroclawska, on both occasions beating Delight My Fire into 2nd place.

Josef Váňa has eight horses entered in the race, and most of them are serious contenders. Ange Guardian finished 2nd in VP 2016. Zarif has finished 3^rd, 2^nd and 6^th in the three most recent VPs. Wild Danger recently won the Category I Opening Crosscountry Steeplechase at Pardubice, with Rabbit Hawk Wing in 3^rd place. This race was won by Power Zar in 2015. No Time to Lose won the Vltava Stakes on VP day 2015. Theophilos, owned by a numerous syndicate, recently won the First of May steeplechase at trhoLysá nad Labem, against some good opposition. Soros may lack serious recent form, but he was a top chaser a few years ago.

Rabbit Well has been entered. He refused to start the race last year, but he probably has more ability than any other horse in the race. He is no longer with Josef Váňa, and has been taken (or sent) back to the Rabbit Trhový Štěpánov yard, where he is now trained by Petr Juránek.

Last year’s winner, Charme Look, is entered again. He is trained by Martina Rúžíčková, and the plan is that he will be ridden by Barbora Málková, who missed the ride last year due to an injury. Barbora played a big part in preparing Charme Look for his winning runA last year, and is back in the saddle again.