Tom Scudamore: “Lillington has been a revelation this season.”
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Latest insight from our racing ambassador
Saturday – Newbury
It was a bit more like it from Legal History at Doncaster last time, and he’ll appreciate the drying ground here. It is a competitive race but he’s got no weight on his back here so hopefully he can take another step forward.
Meep Meep started off well over hurdles but has been a bit disappointing since. Her bumper form from last season was excellent, so we know the ability is there, and if she can return to that level after a break then she could go well, she’s definitely better than she showed last time.
Lillington has been a revelation this season, winning four times already, he’s a course and distance winner, and Colin [Tizzard] seems to have found another good race for him, so I’d be hopeful he has a very good chance.
Sunday – Exeter
On his best form Malangen would have a very good chance in this seller, but he’s not always the most straightforward. However Exeter should suit him and if he puts his best foot forward he’d have a very good chance.
Eur Gone West showed a bit more at Taunton last time than his previous run, and he’s another who should be suited by this course, so in a tight little handicap I wouldn’t rule him out.
You Say What is having his first run of the season but has run well off a break before, and has winning form around Exeter also.
That said, he could probably do with a drop of rain, but he’ll be staying on at the end here I’m sure.
Story Of Friends ran in a very nice bumper at Warwick last time, and was only run out of the places in the final furlong.
The winner that day looks like a really smart prospect for JP McManus – Chantry House – and with that run under his belt I’m sure my fella will run very well here.
Farewell Noel
I will be very sad to see Noel Fehily retire this weekend. We’ve ridden together for a very long time, he’s an outstanding horseman and a great bloke.
He’s also a fine judge of a horse, it’s been a privilege to ride alongside him, he’s certainly one of the best I’ve ridden against, and I will miss him an awful lot.
And it also means I move up one more spot in the weighing room, luckily Dickie Johnson and a few older boys are still ahead of me!
Tom
