Wherever they take place, staying chases capture the hearts and minds of the racing public. In Britain, we have the April jumps juggernaut of the Aintree Grand National – a race which puts all other contests in the shade in terms of profile and betting turnover. The Merseyside marvel has inspired countless imitators around the world, with Scotland, Wales, and Ireland all having their own Grand National events.
Moving into Europe, one of the most similar races to the Aintree Grand National takes place at the Czech Republic track of Pardubice. Making its debut 35 years after the Grand National in 1874, the Velká Pardubická takes place over the same 4m2½f trip as the Grand National and also features an array of distinctive fences. Where Aintree has Becher’s Brook, The Chair, and Valentines, the Velká Pardubická includes the notorious Taxis Ditch, Popler’s Ditch, and “At the Hangar Hedge” among its 31 obstacles.
Comfortably the biggest race on the Czech racing scene, the Velká Pardubická and its £164,096 prize money frequently attract runners from British and Irish yards. More often than not, those cross-continent flits have ended in disappointment. Ahead of the 2025 edition, the most recent British winner was the Charlie Mann-trained (and ridden) It’s A Snip in 1995. Surprisingly, given their dominance of the sport in recent years, the Velká Pardubická had never been won by an Irish-trained horse. That changed on Sunday, 12th October 2025.
Cromwell Targets Czech Republic with Cheltenham Festival Hero
Following a season lit up by Inothewayurthinkin’s Cheltenham Gold Cup win, Gavin Cromwell set his sights on Velká Pardubická glory with another of his Cheltenham Festival heroes.
Last sighted pulling up in the Grand National, Stumptown had previously shown a liking for an unusual jumping challenge in the Glenfarclas Cross Country Chase.
Seven lengths too good for the field over the cheese wedges and hedges at Prestbury Park – could he repeat the trick over Pardubice’s challenging layout?
Rollercoaster Ride Ends in Success
For much of Stumptown’s Velká Pardubická journey, victory appeared exceedingly unlikely. The most serious of several jumping errors came at the fourth obstacle. On the approach, the 1.5m hedge of the Taxis Ditch doesn’t appear overly imposing. However, the surprise awaits on the landing side and comes in the shape of a 5m long ditch.
Despite meeting the fence on a good stride, Stumptown landed steeply and seemed certain to unship Keith Donoghue. His rider was as surprised as anyone to escape unscathed, stating, “I saw it on a perfect stride, gave him a squeeze, and he just paused in the air, and I was very surprised I was still on him at the back of it!” Having recovered his momentum, Stumptown gave his jockey a further fright when ploughing through the eighth and ninth to drop to last position.
His jumping may have left a little to be desired, but Donoghue knew he could count on the stamina of his partner. Slowly but surely, Stumptown began to pick off rivals and emerged as a big danger three from home. Moving into second place approaching the last, he stayed on resolutely to reel in High In The Sky and his seven-time Velká Pardubická-winning jockey, Jan Faltesjak.
Cromwell to Come Back for More?
This historic success represented a spectacular result for Gavin Cromwell, Keith Donoghue, and the Furze Bush Syndicate ownership group, and took Stumptown’s career winnings past the £250,000 mark.
In reflecting on the win, Cromwell was quick to praise the efforts of his rider, stating:
“It’s unbelievable, and he was given a super ride,” before suggesting this may not be the last time he targets the Czech showpiece. “It’s such a privilege to win this race, and hopefully we’ll be back again in the future.”
Aintree on the Cards for Stumptown?
Now successful ten times from 27 career starts, Stumptown appears to have found his niche in staying chases that feature an unusual jumping challenge. The eight-year-old is now a dual winner over the banks at Punchestown and has scored twice around the Cheltenham Cross Country Course. A defence of his Glenfarclas Cross Country Chase crown likely features high on the agenda for 2026. If that goes well, he may be given a second crack at the Aintree Grand National, for which he is available to back at a general price of 40/1.