Big Pardubice Eyes Expert: Faltejskův Horse is, How to Say, Decent? Rascal.
Pardubice, Czech Republic – Veteran trainer Stanislav Popelka assesses the field for the upcoming Velká Pardubická steeplechase, offering a candid view of the contenders and strategies. Popelka anticipates a conservative approach from jockey Jaroslav Myška and his mount,”Sexy lord,” believing they will avoid setting a fast pace to conserve energy. He also highlights the potential for surprises from horses Zature and Lost, emphasizing the importance of a strong performance from Lostka, ridden by Jan Odložil.
The velká Pardubická, a renowned and notoriously challenging steeplechase, is a cornerstone of Czech equestrian sport, drawing national attention and significant betting interest. Popelka’s insights are notably valuable given his extensive experience and the involvement of his family – his son, Jan Odložil, will ride Lost, while Pavel Odložil, Jan’s father, will also participate. The race’s outcome hinges on navigating the demanding course and strategic jockeying, with Popelka suggesting a spread-out start would benefit all competitors.
Popelka expressed his opinion that Myška, riding “Sexy Lord,” will likely avoid leading early, stating, “In my opinion, with a sexy lord, they think they will not go out of the forefront, so that they do not make water carriers. This is an ungrateful task.” He added that this strategy was evident in the last qualification race, where the horse positioned itself further back.
Regarding potential dark horses, Popelka singled out Zature and Lost, stating, “I like Zature and Lost.” He specifically noted the need for Lostka to perform well, adding, “He must jump well, feel good about it and drive smoothly to the Irish.”
Popelka also commented on the promising form of Cuwall, noting a positive impression from a recent training session. He highlighted his son Jan’s commitment to supporting Lost, stating, “he promised to engage in the Lost ahead, so he kept the word fairly.”
