Scudamore Says: “It’s all systems go for Thistlecrack at Kempton on Boxing Day”
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Top jockey looks ahead to his rides
SATURDAY
When you look through some of his lines of form, he is probably one of the best handicapped horses in training.
He ran fourth in the 4m chase at Cheltenham in 2016 just behind Native River but has barely run a race since then.
I rode him at Wincanton last month and it just hasn’t quite happened for him. This is a smaller field and he is back over hurdles.
Neil is probably looking for a confidence booster. The ability is there we just need to get him to believe in himself again.
He is dropping back to 2m after winning over 2m4f at Haydock last time.
The drop down in trip should not be a problem for him. The ground is the important thing as the softer it is, the better. It was bottomless last time and that suited him perfectly.
He is unbeaten around Haydock which is a good sign. He is probably my best ride of the day.
He has been off the track for two years but I rode him at home a couple of weeks ago and he felt like he had never been away.
At one point I thought he’d turn into a proper Grand National horse before he went wrong. I am quite bullish about him. He is nine years old now so he is still relatively young. He has won a big chase around Haydock and is a horse I have always thought a lot of.
TUESDAY
I rode Thistlecrack the other day and he seemed well so it’s all systems go for Kempton on Boxing Day. It is going to be a very good King George. Colin and Joe are very happy with him.
Last year we still had plenty to prove in the race and now we have to prove he is as good as last year. Tactically he is very straightforward. I have made all on him and won Grade Ones. I have also held him up and tracked leaders in big races and he has won. I am really looking forward to it.
Tom
