Tom Scudamore looking forward to Grand National ride

I had a dramatic incident in yesterday’s Betfred Bowl on Dynaste. It all happened a bit quickly as a bit of the rail suddenly fell into our path as we were going past the winning post. It was an unfortunate incident and it shouldn’t happen on a racecourse but hopefully won’t happen again. Fortunately nobody was hurt or hindered. A photographer had lent on the rail but it was an accident, yes it shouldn’t have happened but we all got away with it. All I was worried about was whether Dynaste had been speared or something, so I was shouting over to Ruby “is there any blood, is there any blood?” and he just shouted back “no you’re fine”.  Luckily the rail shattered and there was no harm done. He ran a nice race, and was running out at the end. It looks as if as he’s getting older, he’s losing a bit of speed and becoming an out and out stayer. He ran very well, picked up some prize money.

I ride Kings Palace back over hurdles in the 1.45pm after he ran well over fences at Cheltenham. He has a lower handicap mark over hurdles. We are very hopeful of a decent run from him.

Thistlecrack has beaten everything he’s faced this season and we are hoping for more of the same today in the 3.40pm. It will be really exciting to ride him again and looks a great opportunity. I just can’t wait to get on him again. He is very straightforward to ride. The race doesn’t look as strong as the World Hudle but it is a Grade 1 so you can’t get overconfident. But he doesn’t seem to have any holes in him. He’s been the star of my season. To have a genuine potential superstar to ride is brilliant and I’m very lucky to get the leg up on him.

I ride Ballynagour in the Grand National. I’m going to ride him the same way I always have done. I’ll take my time on him and if things go alright you won’t see me until late. I’m really looking forward to riding him round here. He has plenty of class it’s just whether or not any of his issues catch up with him or not. It looks a very strong race. The fact that the likes of Pineau De Re, Alvarado and Bishops Road, all real good horses, haven’t been high enough rated to get in it shows how much depth there is.

You have to be very aware of what’s going on around you during the race, because there is so much going on around you. There are loose horses to contend with, and so many other runners around you, and you just want to be master of your own destiny round here. So I’ll just get myself a little bit of room, some space, and then ride my race from there.
If I wasn’t riding Ballynagour, I’d like to ride Many Clouds. I also have a lot of time for The Last Samuri and a bigger price I think Sir Des Champs must have a good chance. Ruby won’t have chosen him for no reason and it wasn’t that long ago he was second in a Gold Cup. He could be one of those that have sneaked in at a nice weight.

Tom