Six thousand, six hundred metres, four miles two furlongs, thirty one fences - the Velka Pardubicka Steeplechase is one of the longest races in mainland Europe and second only to Aintrees Grand National.

The horses having negotiated the vetinary inspection, the preliminaries, the parade and the practice jump start at the furthest point from the packed grandstands on the top left side of the racecourse.

They`re off , a short run to FENCE 1, a hedge which along with FENCE 2 a hedge with ditch on the landing side are two of the widest fences on the course and the runners make an impressive sight as they clear those fences in style. Beware of FENCE 2 as this is where Registana sensationally came to grief in 2005.The horses enter the home straight and take FENCE 3, the small water jump which has been modified greatly in recent years although a few tail enders may still make a splash. The pace quickens as the field thunders towards the largest fence on the course, the dreaded Taxis jump, FENCE 4. Modified in recent years but still enormous. Sadly the Taxis was not designed with spectators in mind , the take off is going away from the stands, you cannot see them land. This is why for the vest views of this remarkable fence you either have to be one of the many photographers who gather at the landing side like vultures or watching the race at home on television. Only three times in the Velkas history has the fence claimed no fallers (2000, 2004 & 2008). Modifications in 1994 mean that nowadays two or three are likely to disappear here rather than about a third of the field as was the case up until 1993. It still causes problems, Eliska Premyslovna sensationaly threw her jockey Bohuslav Matl through the fence in 2006. From the Taxis there is a short run to FENCE 5, the Irish Bank. This obstacle is more akin to Rubys Double at Punchestown than the bank at Cheltenham. The runners run away from the stands to FENCE 6 " Popkovices Turn", Pardubices equivalent of the Canal Turn. Although the turn is not as great as at Aintree the jump has a tricky ditch on the landing side which Supreme Charm and Robert Thornton fell into in 2001. The fence was also the scene of the last great pile up in the Velka in 1998 when the British trained Superior Finish "spooked" when leading and nine others fell or were brought down in the ensuing melee. The runners turn back on themselves onto the back straight of the course, hidden from view by the small wood to the left of the stands. FENCE 7 is an innocuous hedge but the landing side is tricky and he odd horse is caught out including five in 2004. Crossing the plough the horses meet FENCES 8 & 9,the "In and Out". One hedge, a short road crossing of two or three strides and another hedge. There is nothing like this at Punchestown or Cheltenham and in recent years this fence has been the graveyard of foreign challengers. Since 1995, Kambalda Rambler, Limonaire, Risk of Thunder, As de La Chasserie, Celtic Giant, Djeddah, Frileux Royale and Supreme Charm, have all had their Velka experience end here. FENCE 10 is another small hedge and as the horses turn into the middle of the course the pace slows considerably. This does catch them out we have lost one horse here in 2003, 2004, 2005 & 2006. What should be the eleventh fence is in fact called FENCE 10A (meaning that in the Velka Pardubicka they jump thirty one fences, one more than at Aintree). This is part of a number of hedges that run adjacent to the Taxis and watching on TV you often notice riders who have already fallen at the Taxis watching forlornly on. Former winner Maskul fell here in 2006. Do watch out for the markers on the approach to this fence though. In 2008 this is where the Velka was sensationally lost as the grey Amant Gris ran the wrong side of the marker and was subsequently disqualified after finishing first past the post in record time. If you have survived the first eleven fences you have a great chance of getting round and in 1995, the year It`s A Snip won the ten still on their feet at this stage all completed. Crossing some more plough the horses meet FENCE 11 and FENCE 12, two large fences which can be brushed through quite easily. FENCE 13 is a conventional steeplechase fence and the horses turn again away from the stands near Popovices turn but in the other direction. (It amazes me if there are any non Czechs still standing how their jockeys do not get lost, lose their bearings and run out.) FENCE 14, situated in the middle of plough is a small set of timber rails is called Poplars jump. This is where Zeleznik and Josef Vana were brought down in 1991 before they were remounted to gain their historic fourth victory. The horses are now running towards the stands in the centre of the course and in the opposite direction to the home straight. FENCE 15 is called the “Drop” (exactly what it says, more akin to Hicksteads Derby Bank than a racecourse) . It was here in 1997 that Peruan in his first Velka unseated his rider.

 Running in front of the stands the survivors are met with warm applause and cheers from the vast crowds. FENCE 16 is the stone wall and then the second water jump, FENCE 17 which to me is the most formidable of the three waters although it has only claimed two scalps in recent years both in 2008. Turning away from the stands the field takes another turn leading to FENCE 18, the “big” water which has seen some terrible falls over the years but since modifications it is no wider than a conventional water jump seen on the few remaining British courses that have them. FENCE 19, a third hedge in the line of the Taxis is called the “Little Taxis" but it claims few scalps. Across a further section of plough the horses meet FENCES 20 & 21 the “In and Out” in the opposite direction. Most will have got the hand of this tricky course by now and even the few remaining foreigners have no difficultlty this time.

FENCE 22 is bizarre. It is called “dry ditch” and there is no fence here at all just a ditch in the ground to be cleared. The field is beginning to sort itself out by now, distress signals will be sent out by the stragglers whilst those with a chance are waiting to make their move. FENCE 23 which is hidden by the wood is a conventional steeplechase fence.

FENCE 24 claimed the first Irish trained runner Veleda II in 1996. The following obstacle, FENCE 25 is called the "English jump" although I haven`t seen anything like it at Plumpton. It is a small fence with a raised landing side (much like the Chair although the landing side here is even more raised). This one will catch them out, Irish Stamp fell into the fence in 1999 and refused there two years later. They must be considering re-naming the fence "Murphys Jump" as Irish Stamps trainer Ferdy Murphy also saw his Luzcadou refuse there on both his attempts in 2004 & 2005. After FENCE 26 a second set of timber rails comes the last big jump which is called Havels jump, FENCE 27 which does catch them out. After one final stretch of plough the runners turn onto the steeplechase course. Up until 1997 they turned left here but in 1998 following the construction of the new grandstand the authorities decided to have the runners turn right to give a better view of the finish. The last three fences, FENCES 28, 29 & 30 are either small fences and after the weird and wonderful fences they have been jumping for the past eight minutes or so there should be no more problems for our intrepid survivors. However this has not always been the case. In 2001 the whole complexity of the race changed when Belodvodsk who had been second the previous year and in contention throughout unseated his rider when leading at the third last and a fence later the useful French trained Anatole was killed in what can only be desribed as a freak fall. Into the home straight and to the cheers if the crowd there is just one final fence left. Clear this and a relatively short run in is all that is left. Every horse and rider who finishes is a hero. Such is the achievement of finishing even beaten riders will punch the air in triumph - they know that by finishing they have achieved greatness.