Tom Scudamore Blog | Cheltenham Day Four
14 Mar 2024
Coral Racing Ambassador, Tom Scudamore, previews his selections in every race on the final day of the 2024 Cheltenham Festival, including a confident shout in the Mares' Chase.
Triumph Hurdle
It’s a real shame Sir Gino won’t be running here, but I think his owners have another outstanding chance in this in the shape of Salvator Mundi. He was just touched off by Sir Gino in France, and I’d say the fact Willie Mullins has decided to run him would be a big indication of what he thinks of this horse. Usually he likes to wait a year and go straight down the novice hurdle route, but I think it’s very interesting that he’s pitching him in here, and although I’d respect Majborough, at the prices I’d definitely side with Salvator Mundi.
County Hurdle
Dan Skelton’s horses have been running unbelievably well in the handicaps this week, and I think he has another outstanding chance here with L’eau Du Sud. He ran very well at Newbury last time in the Betfair Hurdle, and that form really has been franked with a few of them coming out and running well since.
The yard have an excellent record in this race, and although their other runner Faivoir would also go in with a chance, I think L’eau Du Sud is certainly their number one hope.
Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle
Readin Tommy Wrong has been really well backed for this in recent days, and you’d have to respect that, but I’m going to go for one at a bigger price who I’ve been impressed by and that’s Johnnywho for Jonjo O’Neill. He has finished behind Gidleigh Park and Captain Teague on his last two starts, but I think he’s been crying out for this step up in trip, and I think he’s still got plenty of improvement, so the fact he’s related to so many staying chasers indicates that this sort of test should suit him down to the ground.
Gold Cup
I’m a huge fan of Galopin Des Champs, and although he’s very short in the betting, I don’t think I can oppose him here. He has the speed to win over two and a half miles, but he’s also proven he can stay this gold cup trip, and that combination of stamina and speed is what will make him very difficult to beat. His jumping can be a little bit of a cause for concern at times, but providing he gets into a good rhythm and jumps round once again, then I think he should win a second Gold Cup here.
Corach Rambler has had a good prep, and he usually comes into his own this time of year, so it would be no surprise to me if he ran a big race, but he’ll need to take a big step forward if he’s going to beat Willie Mullins’ horse.
St James’ Palace Hunter Chase
I know David Christie has made no secret of the regard he holds Ferns Lock in, so he’ll do for me in this. I think Its On The Line and Billaway had a really tough race only 34 days ago at Naas on very testing ground, and I’d be very keen on Ferns Lock coming here as the fresher horse.
Mares’ Chase
I expect Dinoblue to take all the beating here. I wouldn’t be worried about the trip as she’s bred to stay this far, and visually she hasn’t looked like she’d have any issues with it. She wouldn’t have looked out of place in the Champion Chase the other day, and she’s been mixing it up with the boys all year, so I think back against her own sex, she’s very difficult to oppose.
Allegorie De Vassy does have some good form, but she has a tendency to jump quite violently right at times, so I expect Dinoblue to get the better of her.
Martin Pipe Handicap Hurdle
Two of my handicap fancies of the week lock horns here in the shape of Waterford Whispers and Quai De Bourbon, but I think I’d have slight preference for the latter in this. He’s one of those horses that will be very difficult to assess for the handicapper based on what he’s achieved, but these are the type of horses Willie Mullins does very well with, and I expect him to have plenty in hand for a yard who have a very good record in the race.
Tom Scudamore, Coral Racing Ambassador
Triumph Hurdle
It’s a real shame Sir Gino won’t be running here, but I think his owners have another outstanding chance in this in the shape of Salvator Mundi. He was just touched off by Sir Gino in France, and I’d say the fact Willie Mullins has decided to run him would be a big indication of what he thinks of this horse. Usually he likes to wait a year and go straight down the novice hurdle route, but I think it’s very interesting that he’s pitching him in here, and although I’d respect Majborough, at the prices I’d definitely side with Salvator Mundi.
County Hurdle
Dan Skelton’s horses have been running unbelievably well in the handicaps this week, and I think he has another outstanding chance here with L’eau Du Sud. He ran very well at Newbury last time in the Betfair Hurdle, and that form really has been franked with a few of them coming out and running well since.
The yard have an excellent record in this race, and although their other runner Faivoir would also go in with a chance, I think L’eau Du Sud is certainly their number one hope.
Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle
Readin Tommy Wrong has been really well backed for this in recent days, and you’d have to respect that, but I’m going to go for one at a bigger price who I’ve been impressed by and that’s Johnnywho for Jonjo O’Neill. He has finished behind Gidleigh Park and Captain Teague on his last two starts, but I think he’s been crying out for this step up in trip, and I think he’s still got plenty of improvement, so the fact he’s related to so many staying chasers indicates that this sort of test should suit him down to the ground.
Gold Cup
I’m a huge fan of Galopin Des Champs, and although he’s very short in the betting, I don’t think I can oppose him here. He has the speed to win over two and a half miles, but he’s also proven he can stay this gold cup trip, and that combination of stamina and speed is what will make him very difficult to beat. His jumping can be a little bit of a cause for concern at times, but providing he gets into a good rhythm and jumps round once again, then I think he should win a second Gold Cup here.
Corach Rambler has had a good prep, and he usually comes into his own this time of year, so it would be no surprise to me if he ran a big race, but he’ll need to take a big step forward if he’s going to beat Willie Mullins’ horse.
St James’ Palace Hunter Chase
I know David Christie has made no secret of the regard he holds Ferns Lock in, so he’ll do for me in this. I think Its On The Line and Billaway had a really tough race only 34 days ago at Naas on very testing ground, and I’d be very keen on Ferns Lock coming here as the fresher horse.
Mares’ Chase
I expect Dinoblue to take all the beating here. I wouldn’t be worried about the trip as she’s bred to stay this far, and visually she hasn’t looked like she’d have any issues with it. She wouldn’t have looked out of place in the Champion Chase the other day, and she’s been mixing it up with the boys all year, so I think back against her own sex, she’s very difficult to oppose.
Allegorie De Vassy does have some good form, but she has a tendency to jump quite violently right at times, so I expect Dinoblue to get the better of her.
Martin Pipe Handicap Hurdle
Two of my handicap fancies of the week lock horns here in the shape of Waterford Whispers and Quai De Bourbon, but I think I’d have slight preference for the latter in this. He’s one of those horses that will be very difficult to assess for the handicapper based on what he’s achieved, but these are the type of horses Willie Mullins does very well with, and I expect him to have plenty in hand for a yard who have a very good record in the race.
Tom Scudamore, Coral Racing Ambassador
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