Dunwoody joins Course and Distance Limited

Course and Distance Limited are delighted to announce that former champion and double-winning Grand National jockey Richard Dunwoody MBE will form part of the panel for the Velka Pardubicka pre-race reception on Saturday 11 October.

No stranger to Pardubice, Dunwoody lined-up in the race on numerous occasions during his glittering riding career, finishing placed on the Charlie Mann-trained Velka winner It's a Snip in 1996.

Dunwoody will share a Q&A session with former triple Cheltenham Champion Hurdle winning-jockey Steve Smith-Eccles, which follows our form guide to Sunday's eight-race card.

For those interested in the optional guided walk of the course on Saturday afternoon, (after the final race) Dunwoody will provide a unique and fascinating insight to the daunting fences including the Taxis.

Elsewhere, trainer Tony Martin has ruled out a tilt at the Velka Pardubicka with Wonderkid, Martin told www.cdhorseracingtours.com: "Wonderkid is fine after the fall at Killarney, but after talking things through and speaking with Kenny (Whelan) we've decided to now aim him at Cheltenham.

"It would have been great to go over and have a go in the Velka, but with the possibility of soft ground - especially over ploughed fields - we've decided against it. It's a shame, but I'm determined to have a runner there soon."