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Great race in Merano. You would have to fancy a Badminton or Burghley winner round there – both events in excess of 6.000 metres and Burghley winner Tamarillo is in the stable of William Fox-Pitt whose wife, is as you all know, Alice Plunket.
Tamarillo can go in all sorts of ground and jumps for the fun of it. I’m surprised the NewZealand crowd of Todd, Tait and Nicholson, all mad keen racing men, have not eyed that one up and had a go.
Having said that I would not fancy riding any of those five horses anywhere near the Trout Hatchery at Burghley.
Eight out of twelve
was Vintage Crops lifetime record
before he won the 93 Melbourne
he never tried sticks though
Black Diamond fell last time out
he’s out of Montjeu
As for Fatal Mac
well hmmm he’s out of Machivellian
and I can’t think stretching his legs in Italy
is the best prep for thisSarah Palin might win it
Thanks, Darren for letting us see what must be the most hedge-filled racecourse in the world.
How far outside the Racing Post standard time was that race?Rather fancy Nadover..Charlie Mann knows how to win this race..I love the account of It’s A Snip’s race in Richard Dunwoody’s book hands and Heels.
I have my username as the Ferdy Murphy Velka runner from circa 1998. Gorgeous chestnut horse – first one I saw on my visit to his yard in the American barn.
Great race as is the race at Moreno and will be lucky enough to go to Auteuil next month, sadly no Cross-Country races here in Spain that I know of but really want to to Moreno too now and Lyon-Parilly.
This race is THE European race of October, who cares about Zarkava when you get a proper race like this.
I totally agree with you Neil – and I also share Anglo German (Darren)’s love for Czech racing, which has interested me ever since the first time I saw the film of Chris Collins winning the Velka Pardubicka back in 1973.
I’ve had the very good fortune to twice make the trip to Pardubice for the race – firstly in1987 when Zeleznik won for the first time and then again in 1990 for the 100th running, when the mare Libentina triumphed, also in a new course record time. There really is nothing else like it – a real carnival atmosphere for the Czechs, many of whom bring large hampers with them to the course, which itself is really beautiful. More often than not too, they seem to have good weather for the race – and on both occasions when I was there, it was a bright sunny beautifully crisp autumn day (my favourite time of the year anyway).
The standard of steeplechasing has improved enormously over the years in the Czech Republic, though sadly, a Czech-trained horse has still to win a steeplechase in this country. Peruan and Marketplace came very close about ten years ago in one of the Cross-Country steeplechases at Cheltenham (Peruan was beaten just a neck), and Registana would surely have won two or three years ago, but for taking the wrong course approaching the second last.
Whilst in the past, the Velka Pardubicka has been considered a race in which any decent British trained staying chaser would have a fair chance of success (in theory at any rate), this has not proved to be the case, and only Chris Collins (with Stephen’s Society) and Charlie Mann (with It’s A Snip) have been successful in the last 35 years, though in fairness, not all that many have given it a go. The demands of the race proved too much for the very good Irish cross-country chaser Risk of Thunder and though the Czech horses are able to get far more experience of the course, the notorious Taxis fence is only jumped in the Velka Pardubicka, and in no other race during the year.
I’d love to be there this weekend (sadly I can’t be) but will certainly follow the result with interest – last year’s winner Sixteen would probably have a decent chance again, perhaps with Klip, though the veteran Decent Fellow can never be ruled out, even at the age of 13.
I was there when Decent Fellow won two years ago.
An absolutely awesome experience, I’d recommend that any jumps fan who hasn’t been already makes the trip – coupled with a few days’ sightseeing and boozing in Prague it’s a fantastic holiday.
I was there when Decent Fellow won two years ago.
An absolutely awesome experience, I’d recommend that any jumps fan who hasn’t been already makes the trip – coupled with a few days’ sightseeing and boozing in Prague it’s a fantastic holiday.
I could not agree more with you Benny.
A trip to Pardubice and a few days in Prague make for a wonderful break – and in my opinion, Prague is the most beautiful city in Europe (of those I’ve seen).
Despite looking unintelligble to many people, Czech is also a very beautiful language with a fair bit of logic behind it – just a different logic from that which we are used to in English.
Absolutely right – a beautiful city and a beautiful language. We did get stitched up at the course by a friendly tote operator who told us that "pleased to meet you" in Czech was something like "smernic nackopracza", which actually means "you smell like a pig".
We got quite a few funny looks before somebody told us 8 hours later….
Love Cz Rep (esp. the beer) but,having watched tapes of the meeting in the past, was disturbed by the carnage.
Has safety improved much lately?
Is it on TV anywhere in UK?
Not that I’m aware, however this link MIGHT be showing the race online tomorrow:
http://www.ceskatelevize.cz/vysilani/10 … 13:10.html
Darren – AngloGerman
___________________________________________‘The Hungarian’s going hell for leather’ – Jim McGrath
The horse I was yold about that was being trined especially for this race was from the Gordon Elliot yard it is a non runner.
A word of caution:
Betfair will have an in running market but there are a few shrewdies gone over there that will be attempting to use the advantage they have in seeing the race live.The horse I was yold about that was being trined especially for this race was from the Gordon Elliot yard it is a non runner.
I think that was Lydon House, which was taken out a week or so ago.
Anyway, I’ve put together a little preview – I’ve kept it on this thread as I though starting a new VP thread in another section might be a bit confusing, so here we go:
DECENT FELLOW – The race wouldn’t be the same without Decent Fellow! Has competed at this meeting every year since 1999!! That in itself must be a record, and he’s competed in the Velka Pardubicka itself since 2002, winning it in 2006 and being placed on all other occasions. However, when he was 5th last time out, it was the first time he had been out of the first four in 24 races! Has time finally caught up with this grand servant of Czech steeplechasing? Almost certain to finish, but at the age of 13, he might find a couple too quick for him over the last half mile or so.
KASJER – I actually know quite a bit about Kasjer, because he usually runs in Germany!! He’s got some really good form from last year against two of Christians stable stars – second to Our First Chesnut in the Grosser Preis von Karlshorst at Bremen, before finishing third to the late great Helmac in the Hamburg Lake Race. However, this year, he’s been upped in distance and has shaped like a non-stayer, and as much as I’d like to see him go well, I just can’t see him staying this extreme distance.
MARATH – Each year, a rank outsider seems to scrape into the top four in the Pardubicka. In 2005, 66-1 shot Lanaret finished third, and a year later, Icare de Renom was 4th at 33-1, whilst last year, 30-1 shot Eliska Premyslovna was third. As you can see, there’s a bit of a precedent for an unfancied horse to get in the frame – and I think Marath could be the one this year. Having a very similar profile to many of the other successful long shots, his form has been in the main very disappointing – that was until he was upped in trip at Pardubice in August, and at odds of 60-1, ran an absolute blinder when second to Juventus (ahead of Mr Land and Decent Fellow), finishing like a train, shaping as though much further would suit. I was laughed at when I suggested Laneret would go well in 2005, and I’ve been met with similar sniggering this time around – but dismiss Marath at your peril!!
KLIP – Is 12 years old, but has only run in 6 chases, due mainly to a lengthy spell as an eventer. Was 5th in this race last year, and has produced two decent runs this season. Jockey Jan Faltejsek will be one of the more familiar names in the race due to his regular appearances in the UK over the last two years, however, the horses regular rider, Jaroslav Myska is on Kasjer, and Klip looks to be the stables string behind Amant Gris.
MR LAND – Is a consistent sort, but is generally regarded as trainer Josef Vanas fourth string behind Decent Fellow, Juventus and Sixteen, so although I can see all Vanas horses completing the course, Mr. Land will probably be left in the wake of his three more illustrious stablemates.
ICARE DE RENOM – Shock fourth here in 2006, but has been well beaten in all his races since, and I can’t see him causing another surprise this year.
PROFIL – Has bits of decent form but has failed to complete in three of his last five races, and could well be an early casualty.
NADOVER – Less that twelve months ago, his trainer Charlie Mann is quoted as saying ‘He doesn’t really get three miles’, so what he’s doing here is anyone’s guess! OK, he got round in this years Aintree Grand National, and Charlie Mann probably knows this race better than anyone else in Western Europe, but with a possibly frantic pace coupled with the ploughed field stages, I still rate him as a doubtful stayer, and one not certain to negotiate the Taxis.
HIRSCH – Is ridden by last years winning jockey Dusan Andres, but hasn’t got the best record of completing, and is another one who could meet with trouble at the Taxis.
SIXTEEN – Won the race last year, and at only 8 years old, could well still be improving. Won a decent race at Merano, before finishing second at Most over an inadequate trip last time out, and looks sure to go close here. However, has been beaten by Fatal Mac in Italy, and might not reverse placings with her Italian rival.
NUMERO DUE – 5 of his 6 steeplechase victories have come in neighbouring Slovakia at the less challenging Bratislava circuit, but he’s won Slovakias top steeplechase, the Velká cena Petržalky twice. Only 7 years old though, and this may be a year or two too soon for him.
IVOIRE DE BEAULIEU – Fourth last year, but isn’t getting any younger, and although in my opinion, he’ll probably complete the course, he’ll more than likely find a few going a bit too quick for him at the business end of the race.
JUVENTUS – Was 5th here last year, but did make a really bad mistake towards the end of the race, which probably put paid to his chances. Has been a model of consistency this season however, and his jockey knows this place better than anyone else around!
JUNG – Ridden by Bohuslav Matl, who’s only ride on Jung in the past saw the horse tailed off at Merano. Has been well beaten in most of his races in the last couple of yeard and I can’t see this one featuring at all.
AMANT GRIS – Ran in both the Czech and Slovak Derbies in his younger days, and has been in excellent form over fences in both the Czech Republic and Slovakia. Gets on really well with todays rider and it wouldn’t be a surprise to see this dashing grey fighting it out for the top honours.
FATAL MAC – The unknown quantity in the race, but he’s won the 3m 6f Paolo Mazzani cross country race in Merano for the last three years. Added to the fact that he’s beaten several top Czech horses in Italy over the last couple of years, this could be the one to beat. Jockey Raf Romano won the biggest steeplechase in Italy last month, so he’s a man for the big occasion, and in my opinion, this combination can become the first ever Italian winner of the Velka Pardubicka.
VERDICT:
One of the strongest Velka Pardubickas in recent years, and if the likes of Masini, Heads on the Ground and Wonderkid were running, I would have possibly gone as far as to say it would have been the strongest renewal ever. Decent Fellow could probably get round here blindfolded, but at 13, his best days are surely past him, and Josef Vanas best chance probably lies with Sixteen. However, Fatal Mac has outstanding form in Italy, and the Taxis should hold no fears for a horse that, although has fallen twice in the last couple of years, is usually an excellent jumper of the varying and demanding obstacles at the Merano course. You’ll usually find an unexposed outsider creeping into the first 3 or 4, and Marath fits the bill on the form of his fast finishing second here to Juventus in August. My prediction:
1ST – FATAL MAC
2ND – SIXTEEN
3RD – MARATH
4TH – JUVENTUS
5TH – AMANT GRIS
6TH – DECENT FELLOWDarren – AngloGerman
___________________________________________‘The Hungarian’s going hell for leather’ – Jim McGrath
Great write up Darren – just taken the 6’s on Betfair about Fatal Mac
Thanks for that, and Good Luck – but maybe I should have published the prices together with my preview!!! These are the current Racebets prices, which are almost identical to those available locally on course from Betino:
15-8 Sixteen
9-4 Juventus
4-1 Amant Gris
9-2 Decent Fellow
5-1 Nadover
13-2 Fatal Mac
9-1 Numero Due
10-1 Ivoire de Beaulieu
12-1 Klip
18-1 Mr Land
19-1 Marath, Hirsch
21-1 Jung
29-1 Kasjer
34-1 Profil
49-1 Icare du RenomYou can keep up to date with the local prices at http://www.betino.cz/index.php?menu=20
Just scroll down to the last race. I don’t know exactly how they work, but ‘Vitez’ is the conventional SP.
Darren – AngloGerman
___________________________________________‘The Hungarian’s going hell for leather’ – Jim McGrath
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