Scudamore says: “Starchitect should run a big race.”
Top jockey shares his insight
Vieux Lion Rouge ran well to a point last Saturday in the Becher Chase at Aintree.
He just couldn’t go with the main protaganists towards the end of the race but he ran well around their again.
It was unfortunate that we couldn’t have been slightly more competitive but the weight just told in that testing ground from the last ditch.
Rathlin Rose was a bit unlucky in the Grand Sefton Chase as he lost his hind legs at the Canal Turn which cost him, and he was also a bit careful early on.
His jumping got better as the race went on. It was annoying really as he’d got into a nice position and jumped the Canal Turn fine and then lost his legs coming round the bend, and that was it really.
I’d be very happy to ride him around there again.
Saturday
He ran a great race last time out at Cheltenham. We know he’s going to handle everything around here again.
It will be interesting to see how the ground rides on Friday, as I suspect it’s going to ride more testing than the description. It was very testing when he was second here so that would suit him.
He’s incredibly versatile as he acts on any ground. It’s another competitive race but you tend to think that the main protagonists from last time – Splash of Ginge, Starchitect and Le Prezien – are all going to be bang there again.
Everything has gone well with Starchitect at home since his last run. He takes his racing really well and he’s still a relatively young horse, at six years old, even though he seems to have been around forever.
The handicapper has had his say with a 4lb rise and he needs to improve again but I see no reason why he won’t, and he should run a big race.
On official ratings Dell’ Arca clearly has it all to do in this company. He’s a wonderful servant to the yard and if a few of his opponents run below form then he’ll be there to pick up some prize money.
He has been hit hard by the handicapper following his win earlier in the season, and that’s just the way with this horse.
He’s in the grip of the handicapper. The softer ground, and the test of stamina, will play to his strengths though.
Sunday
1.40 Carlisle – Saint John Henry
He ran okay last time out and I think Carlisle will be fine for him.
I’m just crossing fingers that the meeting is on as I see they are inspecting on Saturday. If Carlisle is off then I will head to Southwell instead, but we’ll see how the inspection goes.
I spoke to Colin and Joe Tizzard on Thursday and they are very happy with Thistlecrack. He’s taken everything they’ve thrown at him since Newbury.
I will go down to the yard and have a sit on him next week, and school him over some fences, and I’m really looking forward to riding him in the King George on Boxing Day.
Tom
