Tom Scudamore: “I have a few rides I’m really looking forward to”
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Jockey and Coral ambassador Tom Scudamore previews his weekend rides at Cheltenham and Fontwell.
I have everything crossed that Cheltenham gets the green light for Saturday, as it looks like a really great day’s racing and I have a few rides I’m really looking forward to.
I then head to Fontwell on Sunday, which is a course I always enjoy riding. The figure of eight track there is always a good test for horse and rider, and the ground staff are absolutely top class, so it’s probably one of the best maintained courses in the country.
Saturday
That was a good race round Kempton she finished third in last time, and I was very happy with her that day. She’s taken to fences really well, and she’s won at Cheltenham before, so I think this stiffer track should suit her even more if I’m honest.
This looks like another competitive contest, but I think she’s underestimated and with a repeat performance, I can see her going very close here.
He obviously has plenty to find here with the principles, but he’s run well before in this sort of company so it could be a good opportunity to pick up some nice prize money.
It’ll be very interesting to see Energumene and Edwardstone take each other on, as they are probably the best two-mile chasers around at the moment. We are on the new course on Saturday, and it will be a bit more of a stamina test than what they’ll face in the Champion Chase, so it will be very interesting to see who comes out on top.
He ran an absolute cracker here on New Year’s Day when finishing second behind a nice horse of Nigel Twiston-Davies’. We finished well clear of the rest that day, so the form looks very solid, and he’s entitled to improve for that outing.
His point-to-point form is working out very well as he was third to the current Champion Bumper favourite, so he looks a horse with plenty of potential, and I definitely think he’s one to follow for the future.
I was very impressed with Paul’s horse Henri The Second at Sandown last time, so he probably sets the standard, but I don’t see any reason why we can’t go very close.
Sunday
He ran a good race when third in the Sussex National at Plumpton last time, and although he comes back in trip here, I wouldn’t be too worried about that. He’s got form around Auteuil too, so he shouldn’t be bothered by the figure of eight track at Fontwell.
Quite a few of these come here in good form though, Chris Gordon’s horse is going for a four-timer, and Harry Whittington’s mare is seeking a hat-trick, so it certainly won’t be easy. Having said that, the form of D’Jango’s last run would certainly give him a chance.
He’s dropping like a stone in the weights, and it doesn’t look the strongest race, so this is probably his most realistic assignment for some time.
He’s one of those horses that doesn’t find an awful lot off the bridle regardless of what trip you run him over, but I do think this easier course should suit. The form of his fourth at Leicester in December would give him a big chance, and he’s now 4lb lower, so if he’s on a going day, then I could certainly see him running a big race.
Tom
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