Scudamore says Dynaste is “crying out for a marathon trip” in Sandown feature

Dynaste

I’m riding Dynaste in the big one the Bet365 Gold Cup at 4.10pm. He doesn’t want the ground too quick. It is probably on the quick side on the Chase course at the moment, so we could do with some rain. We’ll see what happens there. His last three runs have all been solid, and the way he kept on last time at Aintree, I thought he ran really well.

He now feels like he’s crying out for a marathon trip which three and a half miles around Sandown would seem to fit the bill. I wouldn’t be certain that he’d stay until he does it but he’s falling down the weights, and though he may not be as good as he once was, his recent performances are only just below that Grade one level.

On his last run I think he’d have a cracking chance in this race. Around Sandown when it call comes off, and you get into a nice jumping rhythm, it’s a real thrill to ride there. Especially down the back straight. It’s a great jumping test. You really need to wing every one.

Dell ‘Arca

I ride Dell ‘Arca in the 5.55pm. he’s been disappointing and has to bounce back. It’s as simple as that. He seems in good order and is well at home. We just hope that Sandown will bring out the improvement in him. His best runs last year were at this time of year, when he ran well at Punchestown. He ran OK last time.

Punchestown

I ride Thistlecrack on Thursday which I’m really looking forward to but apart from that it may be a quiet week for me. David is sending a couple over there, but they run in an Amateur riders’ race and a Conditional Jockeys’ race, so it looks as if I’ll have the one day at Punchestown and then concentrate on getting a really good start to the season.

Season report

It has been a very frustrating season. At the beginning of the season I had aspirations to challenge for the title and at an early stage that wasn’t happening. And then just as the season proper got going I got hurt and had some time off. Then when I came back and was getting going, I got hurt again. So on that reckoning it has been disappointing.

But now looking back, when you consider I’ve missed over a third of the season through injury and suspension, to ride 85 winners and have winners at Aintree and Cheltenham isn’t too bad at all. And Thistlecrack has been an absolute revelation. Any season when you win a World Hurdle and get to win a host of big races on a horse like Thistlecrack can’t be a bad one.

But ultimately this time last year I was hoping to give Dickie Johnson a run for his money. It didn’t happen and it’s wonderful that he’s gone and done it in such style.

On the upside as we start off on next season I will be fresh while many of my rivals will be exhausted after a long season without a break. I’m ready to go. I’ll be going up and down the country, riding during the day and in the evenings. It’s a really busy time.

Over the summer Lottie and the girls will spend some time down on the coast, and I’m able to head down there alongside the working, so I’m able to be part of the holiday, and then we’ll get a few days away in August, so it all works quite well.