Tom Scudamore: “I’m very confident in Rathlin Rose running a big race.”
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Our racing ambassador goes in the Scottish Grand National
I had another great ride off Vieux Lion Rouge in the Grand National last weekend. We jumped every fence really well but unfortunately they were just quicker than me from the second last to home.
He’s been amazing for us round Aintree and it was another great spin in the big race.
The further Tiger Roll went the better he seemed to travel and he is just a phenomenal horse. It was great for racing and I can only give credit to everybody involved with him.
I’ve had a couple of good winners this week, particularly Legal History down at Exeter. He is progressing really nicely and the future looks very bright for him.
I’m looking forward to getting up to Ayr this weekend for the Scottish National and it’s nice to go there in some good form.
Saturday – Ayr
Lillington has done nothing but surprise me this year and he has come on so well. He has gone from strength to strength and whilst this is by far his toughest assignment to date you just cannot rule him out.
We have said that on each of the last three starts and he was won them all and he certainly has every chance to top off his season with a win here.
Rathlin Rose ran very well last time out over at Ascot and although he can blow hot and cold he is in a rich vein of form at the moment. I’m very confident that he will run a big race.
I’ve ridden quite a few of the horses in this race and I would probably be most wary of Carole’s Destrier. I think that the horse has been crying out for four miles and has the potential to go very, very close
Four miles is always an extraordinary test of stamina. You get plenty of horses that stay three miles, some that stay three and a bit and then a few that stay three and a half.
Horses that stay the full four miles are few and far between and that’s only heightened here with the race coming at the end of the season.
You do get some shock results in the Scottish National when you put that all together with the dry ground.
There has been times in the past where Rathlin Rose hasn’t quite stayed but we do have a lot of hope that the track can bring out the best in him and fingers crossed we will be there or thereabouts at the finish.
Sunday – Wincanton
Gentleman Jon is a former Badger Ales Trophy winner around Wincanton and he absolutely loves it at the track.
That course form will serve him well and the conditions at the moment should also play into his hands. Everything looks to be in order for a big run.
Tom
