Tom Scudamore: “This is Bristol De Mai’s big day and he’ll do for me”
Coral ambassador looks ahead to this weekend’s action
There is a fantastic day of racing on Saturday and Coral ambassador Tom Scudamore heads to Haydock for one ride aboard David Pipe’s Brinkley.
He also gives his thoughts on the Betfair Chase and Coral Hurdle, where he fancies Bristol De Mai to run well.
Haydock 2.25 – Brinkley
Ideally my mount Brinkley would be running here on what we’d regard as much more typical Haydock ground at this time of the year, in other words close to bottomless!
It’s not however, but while he doesn’t need it to be really testing, there’s no doubt his best form is on ground with plenty of ease in it.
He’s high enough in the handicap, but that’s off the back of two good wins last season, and his novice hurdle form was excellent also, so he has earned this high mark, but as I say, we’d definitely have preferred more give in the ground.
Ascot 2.40 – Coral Hurdle
An interesting if small field for the Coral Hurdle, with all five having a chance. Buzz is the favourite, and while he has some top class hurdles form to his name, and is fit from winning the Cesarewitch on the flat last month, I do think Goshen might do him for speed here.
He looked good when winning the Kingwell Hurdle last season, and loves going right-handed, so he’d be the one I’d like to ride.
Haydock 3.00 – Betfair Chase
If it was typical Haydock testing ground, then Royale Pagaille would have a massive chance, given how well he has run here before, but I think the better ground might find him out.
A Plus Tard brings the Gold Cup form to the table, but some of Henry De Bromhead’s have been needing their first run, and Cheltenham and Haydock are very different tracks, although the better ground is a plus.
For me though, it’s got to be Bristol De Mai, who can equal Kauto Star’s record and win it for a fourth time. Yes he goes well on softer ground, but he’s won this race on good ground, he goes well fresh, and this really is his Gold Cup, so he’ll do for me.
Haydock 3.35 – Ramses De Teillee
I don’t ride Ramses here as he runs off 12-2, so Fergus [Gillard] is claiming three pounds, but he’s obviously a horse I know well.
He comes here rather than running at Cheltenham last week, he’s had a spin over hurdles, and he could go close here, despite top weight, although if Strictlyadancer turns up here in the form he was in when winning last weekend, he’ll take plenty of beating.
Tom
