Tom Scudamore: “Ramses De Teillee has always been a strong stayer over three miles”
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Jockey and Coral ambassador Tom Scudamore previews his weekend rides at Taunton and Lingfield.
Another frustrating week from a weather point of view, but with a bit of luck hopefully we can get back racing this weekend.
It’s a particular shame for the team at Lingfield who have worked so hard on what is a wonderful initiative in the shape of The Winter Million. They’ve worked very hard to put on some excellent prize money, so hopefully they’ll be rewarded with some quality action on Sunday.
Before then I head to Taunton on Saturday where I have four nice rides to look forward to. I know the forecast isn’t too great over the next 24 hours, but hopefully we’ll get away with it.
Saturday
12.45 Taunton – Earth King
He didn’t run too badly here last month when returning from a long absence with Sean Bowen in the saddle. I’m sure he’ll take a step forward for that outing, but he will need to if he’s going to win this as it looks like there are some nice horses in opposition.
I’m sure he’ll get better with racing though, so the experience shouldn’t be lost on him.
He surprised us a bit when making a winning start at Fontwell last month, then he ran well again when third under a penalty at Wetherby over the festive period.
It’s always tricky stepping out of juvenile company and into a handicap as you never know what the form is worth, and even though you get the allowances, it’s no easy task. He likes a sharp track though, so I do think Taunton will play to his strengths, and I’d have to say he’s probably my best chance of the day.
15.17 Taunton – Ramses De Teillee
He’s been running brilliantly this season, and he ran another cracker when second in the Veterans’ Series Final at Sandown last time. You wouldn’t usually be confident taking on Frodon, but over this longer trip, Frodon could be vulnerable to a stronger stayer.
Ramses De Teillee has always been a strong stayer over three miles, and he has won over further in the past, so this trip doesn’t hold any fears for him. If he gets into a good rhythm, I suspect Frodon is the one we all have to beat, but we’ll be looking to annoy him whenever we can.
This is his first run for a while, so we’ll just have to see how he gets on. On some of his form prior to his absence you could give him chance, but he’s been off the track for a little while so we’ll just have to see if he retains that ability.
He did win off this mark at Chepstow back in 2020, so he at least has a chance at the weights if that ability is still there.
Sunday
He’s been running really well of late, but I do think this step up in trip will help him. He’s also slightly happier going left-handed, so the track should suit and I’d be hopeful of a big run from him.
He’s actually surprised me how well he’s done hurdling over the shorter trips as he was bought to be a nice staying chaser. He won his point-to-point in nice fashion before joining us, so I’d say he’s one to keep an eye on for the future when he does go over fences.
He ran very well to a point at Sandown last time, but he just didn’t quite finish off his race as I was expecting. He’s back up to three miles tomorrow, and he ran a stormer in this race last year when finishing second to Ballygriffincottage, so that form has certainly worked out well.
He’s a nice horse who shouldn’t have any problem going back hurdling on Sunday, and we know he’ll handle the conditions, so hopefully he can put it all together and run a big race.
He’s been bought for these sorts of races on testing ground, so hopefully this will be on. He hasn’t had that truly bottomless ground that we think he thrives on, so hopefully he’ll get that on Sunday.
He’s tumbled down the weights as I think his last handicap chase run he was off 155 and he’s now off 145, so the handicapper has certainly given him a chance. I’m hopeful of a big run from him, but you’ve got to respect Gary Moore’s horse as he was so impressive around Warwick last time, so he could take all the beating.
Tom
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