Tom Scudamore: “I was praying he would squeeze into the race and he has.”
Published:
Thursday at the Cheltenham Festival
He has had his issues over the years but I was praying he would squeeze into this race. I was really pleased with his comeback run at Haydock last time.
He has been third over course and distance in the Albert Bartlett here and on that form, he is a Grade One horse running in a handicap.
Given his problems, all his form last year was a write off but he has shown me since then that he is ready to go again so I am excited to ride him.
On all known form, it is going to be very difficult to finish ahead of Paisley Park but we have a plan in mind and we will give it a go. I will be very disappointed if he is not in the shake-up at the finish.
Paisley Park is obviously the one we all have to beat on form this season but if you asked who the best horse in the race is, I have to say Faugheen. If the Faugheen which turned up at Punchestown appears, he will be difficult to beat.
Eamon An Cnoic will have a good chance here. It is a fierce handicap which should suit him. He ran well last time around Chepstow so hopefully he does the same again.
I was impressed with her run around Leicester. She was disappointing at Fontwell though, which she needs to leave behind. She has a lot to find here but I am hoping she can find some improvement.
I haven’t got a ride in the Ryanair Chase but it all depends on which Footpad will turn up. Willie Mullins is a genius and he could win it with Un De Sceaux. It is definitely a race I think will go to the Irish.
Tom
