Gavin Cromwell and Keith Donoghue are plotting another raid on the world famous Velká Pardubická.
The duo won the race with Stumptown last season, in the process becoming the first winner trained in Britain or Ireland since Charlie Mann lifted Its A Snip to glory in 1995.
Ran over a gruelling distance of 4m2f, there are no less than 35 obstacles to negotiate, culminating in an extremely unique, but tricky test of both thoroughbred and jockey.
Cromwell sends Final Orders (5/4) over to Czechia this year with the hope of landing back-to-back wins and he boasts an awfully similar profile to that of his stablemate Stumptown. He too landed the Cross Country Chase at Cheltenham last March, stepping up markedly in trip after previously showing his best form around two miles. Although the test he faced around Prestbury Park was far less demanding than what he will encounter on Sunday, it does prove that he can both cope with the extended distance and negotiate a unique test of jumping.
Although Final Orders is the sole horse trained in Britain and Ireland competing in the race, there is another British rider in the race, with James Best tasked with steering Greek Dessert (20/1) around the tricky course. Best, 35, is a veteran of the UK weighing room and has Grade 1 success on his CV courtesy of his win aboard Nickle Back in the 2024 Scilly Isles Chase.
Godfrey (5/2) is the market's idea of the biggest danger to the favourite and has previous with this track. He was a faller when the race was run in 2023, but he made up for his errors when returning one season later, eventually dead-heating with Sexy Lord in a pulsating finish to the marathon contest.
Last year's runner-up High In The Sky (5/1) is back for more after failing to repel the challenge of Stumptown 12 months ago and connections will be hoping that Ireland's latest hope doesn't prove as tough to overhaul.
Velká Pardubická confirmed runners
- Hard Roc De Kerser
- Angkor Wat
- High In The Sky
- Caryjape
- Araucarias
- Dumon Roclay
- Sacamiro
- Greek Dessert
- Godfrey
- Final Orders
Velká Pardubická betting odds
(Odds will display when market is available)
Any odds displayed were correct at the time of writing and are subject to fluctuation.
