Scudamore Says: “It’s a competitive race but he’s got the best form in the race and I’m very confident”

Top jockey Tom Scudamore takes us through his rides on day two of the Grand National Festival

Moon Racer in the 2.20 at Aintree is my first ride of the day. In the Champion Hurdle he made a race-ending mistake at the wrong time, the fourth last hurdle. He lost all momentum so I just pulled him up to save him for another day. He is in good order with himself. I’ve schooled him since and he was fine. It’s a competitive race tomorrow but he’s got the best form in the race and I’m very confident. I don’t see why Aintree will cause any problems for him and he’s a worthy favourite.

I then ride Quite By Chance in the Topham. He had a good start to the season but the handicapper seems to have him at the moment but who knows, hopefully the demands of Aintree will eek out a little bit more improvement from him. I had a good ride round in the Grand Annual on him and I think this step up in trip to two and a half miles will suit. He is an outsider but it wouldn’t surprise me to see him run well. It’s his first race over the fences. You never know if a horse is going to take to them or not. I’ve ridden many horses I thought would take to them that haven’t and I’ve ridden many horses that I didn’t think would take to them that have.

It’s nice to have a ride over the fences ahead of the Grand National but it’s not something I think you need to have. It depends on the horse. I’d only ride something in the race that I thought had a chance. It’s certainly not vital to have a spin round there but at the same time if you have a good run in the Topham the day before it certainly puts a spring in your step.

I’m then on West Approach in the 4.40. just like Moon Racer, this horse is stepping back into novice company after running in a Grade 1 at Cheltenham. He ran well in the Stayers Hurdle until the second last then he emptied out after that. He travelled really well for a long way but didn’t see the race out. I was going very nicely just behind the leaders, when he went from cantering sweetly to going nowhere. On his best form he looks to have a very good chance.

This was the race in which I rode Thistlecrack for the first time two years ago and he won impressively. Let’s hope his half-brother can follow suit.

In the last I ride Tikkanbar for Neil Mulholland. He’s won two small field bumpers but won them very nicely. He deserves this step up in class but it will be very different for him in this field.

Tom