Scudamore says: “He’s only a novice and there might be more to come with the step up in trip”

Yesterday was a great day for me. I knew going into the World Hurdle that I had an outstanding chance with Thistlecrack but I was just concentrating on getting everything right. I was confident but you have to be careful of becoming borderline over-confident where you can then make a silly mistake. I just wanted to do my thing and allow Thistlecrack to do the rest and fortunately that proved to be the case.

To blitz them away in the manner that he did, it was quite some performance. It felt as straightforward as it looked. It was a great thrill. As soon as he jumped the last, I was able to enjoy it. Normally in Championship races, you don’t enjoy it until you cross the finish line so it was a strange feeling.

Those are the moments you work hard every day for. Once you are involved in a smashing racehorse like this, it is so exciting. It looks like we could see him chasing next season but as far as I’m concerned, he’s a World Hurdle winner and I am delighted he is a champion.

I start my book of rides tomorrow at Uttoxeter in the 2.10pm where I take up the ride on Justatenner for Colin Tizzard, whose horses are in good form. He’s had a few runs. It looks a strong race so realistically he is going to have to step up from what he has done so far.

In the 3.00pm, I ride Abracadabra Sivola. He won nicely last time at Leicester. This is a good little chase. I won on Buckhorn Timothy last time, while my brother’s horse Kingswell Theatre’s form has been a bit in and out, however, I would not be surprised if he turned up with a big run again because he has plenty of ability, he just has to use it. My horse has sheepskins on which will hopefully sharpen him up. He’s an improving type and should have a good chance.

My ride Murrayana in the 3.35pm, is a similar sort of horse to Justatenner. He probably deserves to get his head in front. He will need to step up on what he has done.

In the Midlands Grand National at 4.10pm, I’m with Katkeau at the top of the racecard. I have always thought of him as a long distance type. We have a lot of weight with 11-12 but that might just reflect that it is not the strongest of races. He’s only a novice and there might be more to come with the step up in trip. I wouldn’t at all be surprised to see him run well. It’s a case of whether there something lurking down the weights with something in hand. I am not so worried about him being top weight. It’s not so often that the Midlands Grand National is 0-150, the band does not normally drop that low.

At 4.45pm, I ride Brook who has been disappointing recently so needs to bounce back. It was a slightly better run at Chepstow last time but it is about time he pulled his finger out.

In the final race on the card at Uttoxeter at 5.55pm, Mr Big Shot makes his debut in the national hunt flat race. He is a lovely big horse and whatever he does in this race, he has a big future. He’ll end up chasing and will turn into a nice horse.

Tom