Tom Scudamore: “I’m sweet on Gericault Roque’s chances”
Tom Scudamore gives us the lowdown on day one of the Cheltenham Festival
I can’t wait for the atmosphere at Cheltenham this year after the crowds missed out on the Festival last year.
Tiger Roll winning and Rachael Blackmore being so fantastic would have been amazing to have been cheered on by a full house. I hope for Rachael’s sake that she gets a couple of winners this year to be able to celebrate what she has achieved in front of a crowd.
I am sure that everybody who goes will have a very good time indeed.
My two Cheltenham rides
Cheltenham 2.50 – Gericault Roque
My first ride of the Cheltenham Festival this year is on Gericault Roque and I really like this horse, I’m very sweet on his chances.
He lacks a bit of experience but he has run some good races in decent handicaps and while he is yet to get his head in front over fences, he would be right up there with the horses I have won this race before on. I am really hopeful of a big run.
I still don’t think we have seen the best of Adagio for one reason or another and we have a realistic each-way chance here in the Champion Hurdle.
I believe that we are the best of the English horses in the race, however Honeysuckle of course does set a very high standard.
She will be very, very hard to beat but we will give it our best shot.
My thoughts on the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle
I think the nature of the Supreme will suit Kilcruit and I can see him running a huge race in the first race of the Festival.
Constitution Hill has been very impressive so far but what he has beaten in his runs is open to question. I think he is priced off reputation more than what he has done so far, which I know is funny to say about a horse than has run twice and won twice, but I am not sure about how strong the form is.
The team have made no secrets about how highly they regard him and Seven Barrows have had some fantastic horses over the years, but if there was one horse in the field that can spring something of a surprise then I would say Kilcruit.
And the Arkle…
I think Edwardstone is rock solid in the Arkle. He was a bit too keen when he ran over hurdles, but fences have settled him down and he is going to be very hard to beat.
The only question marks are against his course form, but his previous runs were over hurdles and they were not bad efforts either.
He ran pretty well in the Supreme and he just used to pull too hard over hurdles. That trait has disappeared over fences and I can’t see anything troubling him.
Tom
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