Vana aims to emulate father in landing high-profile contest

3.40 Pardubice
127th Velka Pardubicka S Ceskou Pojistovnou | Listed | 4m2½f | 6yo+ | RUK

One of the most idiosyncratic contests in the racing calendar, the Velka Pardubicka, takes place on Sunday and its former long-time star jockey may well take centre stage as a trainer.

Josef Vana, an eight-time winner of the race as a jockey, trains four of the 20-strong field with his son Josef Vana jnr riding last year's runner-up Ange Guardian.

The current leading rider in the Velka Pardubicka, winner of four of the five runnings since 2011, is former British-based jockey Jan Faltejsek. He has lost the ride on last year's winner Charme Look and instead rides Virtus D'Estruval for Guillaume Macaire.

Macaire's other runner in the race, Songe D'Estruval, will be ridden by Yorkshire-based rider Colm McCormack. McCormack used to spend his summers riding for Macaire in France and all over Europe, but this will be his Velka Pardubicka debut.

Another name British fans may recognise is Delight My Fire, a late faller when still travelling well in last December's cross-country chase at Cheltenham. The seven-year-old mare is a prolific winner in the Czech Republic and Poland.

British viewers can watch the race on Racing UK.