Tom Scudamore runs through his Cheltenham Day Two rides
Scud looking to enjoy the ride on Kingswell Theatre
A bit like last year Un Temps Pour Tout was right at his best again to land the Ultima Handicap Chase. He really battled back well when he was headed jumping the last.
We were always travelling well through the contest. Going down into the back straight I was thinking they are getting on with it in front. I didn’t want to go with them but I just wanted to keep my horse jumping well and see what happened.
When I ride around Cheltenham there are certain positions I want to be in. I cut the race into sections. This racecourse is slightly different to everywhere else. My horse was always able to take me where I wanted to go. I just kept throwing everything at my horse after the last when I was locked in a battle with Singlefarepayment and he just kept finding. It is great to have ridden my 10th Festival winner. I am now three behind my Dad. Hopefully there is plenty more to come. It makes a big difference to get one on the board early as it takes the pressure off a bit for the rest of the week.
I’ve not made any secret of the fact this is not my favourite race of the week
Moon Racer was obviously disappointing in the Champion Hurdle. He made a mistake at the top of the hill and we were well beaten. If I had carried on we may have finished seventh at best but we hadn’t come here to come home seventh. I pulled him up to look after him and think of another day.
My opening ride tomorrow is in the Cross Country Chase at 4.00. I am going to get to the track nice and early and have a run around it. I’ve not made any secret of the fact this is not my favourite race of the week but I will try and enjoy it on board Kingswell Theatre. I’ll be taking my time on him so you won’t be seeing us early. That seems to be the best way to ride this race. You just have to keep finding room and jumping what is in front of you. I told my brother earlier in the season that if he entered it and schooled it, I would ride it. To be fair this horse could be made for this race. If he does take to it, he is the fifth top rated so won’t be without a chance. Rather than be sat watching someone else ride it, I thought I would give it a go.
I am not saying he will win this race but he is definitely one worth following
In the Fred Winter at 4.50pm I’ll be on board Poker Play for David Pipe. He has decent form in France. Ideally, he probably wants soft ground. He was second last time out at Kempton when second to Alan King’s runner Fidux. We are meeting him on worse terms tomorrow which I can’t work out. This is a horse I like. I am not saying he will win this race but he is definitely one worth following.
Finally, in the Champion Bumper I’ll be riding Fisherman Frank. I am sure he will give a good account of himself. He has a lot to find but his trainer Michael Blake will have him ready and you never know.
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