Tom Scudamore: “Poker Play will relish the conditions”

Saturday rides

14.25 Ffos Las – Rarest Diamond

I’m back a few days earlier than initially predicted, which is great. I’ve been riding out this week, building up my fitness, and once the scans came back clear I could get going on my back. There’s never an ideal time to get an injury, but this time of year hasn’t been too bad, and I’m back before the season really steps up a gear.

My comeback ride is on Rarest Diamond for Colin Tizzard’s Racing Club. She’s having her first start for Colin, but I’m told they like her and think she will be a fun horse for the club, so let’s hope she gives me a nice spin round! Clearly we’ll know more about her after this run.

15.35 Ffos Las – Poker Play

Poker Play will love the ground here, and although he’s got a few pounds to find with a couple of these, we can ignore his one run over fences last season as he’s schooled very well at home and we go there full of confidence. It is a competitive race but he’ll relish the conditions, which is a big plus.

17.20 Ffos Las – Induno

Induno had just the one race last season, finishing second at Warwick, and he’s done well over the summer, so he’d be straight enough for this.

The yard had a Bumper winner at Chepstow last week, and this fellow would be of a similar standard, and with the experience of that run behind him he should set the standard here, although we don’t know how good any of the newcomers could be.

Sunday rides

14.15 Kempton – Paricolor

Paricolor is having a quick turnaround having run at Wetherby in the week. He looked as if he’d improved for his wind surgery with that second place finish, it was a solid run that will hopefully set him up to run well here.

14.45 Kempton – Malangen

Malangen was possibly a little bit unlucky not to get his head in front last time, and he’s been running well all summer. This is a competitive race but he wouldn’t be without a chance.

15.50 Kempton – Lillington

Lillington was a revelation last season, going from a Newton Abbot win in the summer to a nice big Newbury pot, and we had five wins together in all. This looks to be a nice starting point for him, he’s versatile with regard to ground and trip, so hopefully we can have plenty more fun for the Tizzard’s racing club.

Tom