135th Velka pardubicka se Slavia pojistovnou
Tipster’s verdict:
No foreign horse has won the Velká pardubická in thirty years, but who else but the best cross-country horse on the islands could break that streak? STUMPTOWN will have to cope with the unknown Pardubice course, but he will have a jockey in the saddle who tried it out last year. The French Gentleman De Reve also has his qualities, but he may not be such a threat to our horses. Chelmsford showed what an excellent horse he is in his only start this year. Given his previous injury, softer ground would suit him better. Last year’s Velká pardubická winner Sexy Lord was no match for him last time, but if he doesn’t let him get away, he could be a bigger rival. Last year’s third-place finisher, Dulcar De Sivola, cannot be underestimated either. Although he won a weaker qualifying race, he got into good form in the autumn. High In The Sky often makes mistakes, but he will be ridden by a seven-time Velká pardubická winner. Ztracenka must confirm his good performance from the first qualifying race.
Tip: Stumptown – Chelmsford – Sexy Lord
11:00 – 1st race – Cena společnosti VCES – Cena Laty Brandisové
Stcc – 1st category – 4+ mares – 4200 m – CZK 215,000
Tipster´s verdict: Most of the starters met here in August’s Registana Prize, which was heavily affected by heavy rain, and it is questionable whether any convincing conclusions can be drawn from it. On paper, Kubera came out on top in this last confrontation, having avoided bad luck throughout the race, which, on the contrary, greatly affected the performances of Askerana and Ironika. If everything goes according to plan today, I don’t think Kubera will confirm her superiority. Especially since she will lose her weight advantage compared to her last start. Askerana and IRONIKA, whom I slightly prefer, will most likely fight for the victory. In her last start, she faced a downright terrible race due to weather-related mistakes, yet she still managed a decent finish, narrowly beating Askerana. Had it not been for the weather-related mistakes, her lead would certainly have been greater, and she should confirm that today. Kubera should finish behind this pair, with Lady Recorder and Lady In The Lake fighting for positions on the board. However, this will be a debut in Pardubice for both of them, and the unusually short interval since their last race may be a question mark, so Kubera seems to me to be a safer choice for third place.
Tip: Ironika – Askerana – Kubera
11:40 – 2nd race – Cena Chládek a Tintěra, Pardubice a.s. – Cena ČASCH
Stcc – 1st category – 4 – 4200 m – CZK 215,000
Tipster’s verdict: With one exception, all participants in the race competed on the same track and distance a month ago. In the end, ROSCOFF gained a clear advantage, finally asserting himself after a series of medal placements in Pardubice cross-country races, helped by the extra meters. Master Westminster confirmed with his second place that his sensational August victory was no fluke. Sunset was already significantly behind in third place, but in the end he overtook Decidement, who had set a steady pace but weakened in the final stretch. He won in Pardubice in June with a similar tactic, but at that time the distance was almost a kilometer shorter. Jubilee Rock, who was added to the list, missed the September trial, but still managed to compete in three Pardubice cross-country races this year, in which Sunset was always his opponent. He only managed to beat him in August, when Sunset was significantly slowed down by a mistake at the Great English Jump.
Tip: Roscoff – Master Westminster – Sunset
12:20 p.m. – 3rd race – Cena BICZ Holding 2025 – Memorial to Jiří Šindler, 33-time starter in the Velká Pardubická steeplechase
Stcc – handicap III.cat. – 5+ – 4600 m – CZK 99,000
Tipster’s verdict: Six of the eight participants in the race competed a month ago on the same track and distance. STORM OF BEAUFAY performed best at that time, finishing second, but Turion was only half a length behind him and now has a better weight. On the other hand, Storm Of Beaufay is a young horse and only started cross-country racing this year, so he should have more room for improvement. Gemill was not far behind the above-mentioned pair last time and should be an even more balanced opponent this time. His chances will increase with a soft track, on which he won confidently in August. George Of Beaumont is also a representative of the upcoming generation, who dominated four-year-old cross-country horses last year, but has not continued that success this year. Impas was not even close to the best in September, but after one setback, he cannot be overlooked. In the first half of the season, he beat both Storm Of Beaufay and Gemill. Red Cliffs cannot be directly compared to most of his rivals, but he must be reckoned with. This year, he returned to the track after a break of more than three years and was close to victory last time out in Pardubice. Now, however, he faces stronger competition.
Tip: Storm Of Beaufay – Turion – Gemill
1:00 p.m. – 4th race – Cena hejtmana Pardubického kraje – Cena Vltavy
Stcc – NL – 5+ – 4500 m – CZK 600,000
Tipster’s verdict: The excellently cast Vltava Prize attracted AENEAS to the start for the fourth time, but he has not been doing very well this year. He has only finished twice, but the last time he was unlucky in the fourth qualifier rather than failing to finish through his own fault. And that’s why he should be counted on again, because he has quality. But he is eleven years old and faces young horses like Sardinia, who has a string of four victories. She won the Lata Brandisová Prize last year and could also win the Vltava Prize, because she is certainly capable of it. We will see if she lacks a little class, which is happening to the seven-year-old Greek Dessert in better company. He has won two races in categories IV and III this year and can be expected to be on the board this time. Vienna Calling has had a very good run, defeating solid horses in a category II race in September. At six years old, she can still improve, while Hibernian maintains stable performance and form. She probably won’t win, but another quality performance would not be surprising.
Tip: Aeneas – Sardinie – Hibernian
1:45 p.m. – 5th race – Cena Lesů České republiky – Cena Labe
Stcc – L – 6+ – 5200 m – CZK 1,000,000
Tipster’s verdict: Although there are many quality horses in the field, ANGKOT WAT is likely to catch the eye at first glance. The nine-year-old chestnut has been racing in Pardubice for a long time, winning the Popler Memorial last year and managing longer distances this year. He performed particularly well in the second qualifier, where he finished second. Although he did not finish last time, he has enormous class and should be in contention for victory here. However, the eight-year-old Hola Que Tal, who won the Category II race with ease during the September meeting, is on the rise. This will only be his third start of the current season, he is well rested, and a victory in the Labe Prize would come as no surprise. Ten-year-old Korfu can also handle this distance, but his results in 2025 are not very impressive, and as far as Dr. Charvát’s stable is concerned, six-year-old Mandinko looks more interesting. However, he has just come off the peak of the Italian season, the Gran Premio, where he was held back, so it remains to be seen how he will fare in the next race and also in Pardubice. This will be his first time running here. Nordstrand has already won a Grade 1 race here, but this year he didn’t run until September, when he finished last.
Tip: Angkor Wat – Hola Que Tal – Korfu
14:25 – 6th race – Poplerův memoriál společnosti Profi Credit
Stcc – NL – 5+ – 3300 m – CZK 400,000
Tipster’s verdict: With Erik le Viking out of the running, QUART DE GARDE is undoubtedly the biggest favorite. Although his debut in June was somewhat awkward, he made up for it in September with a victory in a preparatory race, in which he faced most of today’s opponents. Just like then, Chittussi could finish behind him, as he has been in stable form this year and only Quart de Garde has managed to beat him among today’s opponents. The third place looks more open. Mr Zuru’s performance in September showed that he has not yet had his final say in his former specialty, and Lianel will try to convince us of the same. However, the winner of the 2022 Popler Memorial has been focusing more on races in Wroclaw for the last two seasons and has not done well in his few starts in the Czech Republic. In their mini-battle, I prefer Mr. Zuru thanks to his recent performance.
Tip: Quart de Garde – Chittussi – Mr. Zuru
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