Tom Scudamore: “Fontaine Collonges deserves to be among the favourites”

Other feature races

Haydock 3.00

A Plus Tard is an exceptional racehorse, and I think this is his to lose. It’s going to be similar conditions to what he won in last year, and even if he’s not fully wound up, I can’t see any of these being good enough to challenge him.

Protektorat is probably the most likely danger, but you certainly wouldn’t rule out Frodon if the rain doesn’t come, and with the run under his belt, if anybody is going to spring a surprise, it’s going to be him.

Ascot 2.40

I’ve never seen a novice do what Constitution Hill did last season. I thought Vautour was the most impressive Supreme winner I’d ever seen up until that point, but what he did to that field, and the distance between him and Jonbon was just astonishing.

It’s a very tough division he’s going in to, but on his form last season, I don’t think there’s a hurdler this side of the Irish Sea that can beat him.

Sunday

Exeter 2.25 – Neon Moon

He ran well for a long way on his chase debut here last time, and only weakened out of it between the last two. He comes down in trip today, and some of his best form has come on better ground, so conditions should be fine for him, and I think he’ll make up into a nice chaser. This does look a strong handicap for the grade though, and I think we’ll see plenty of winners come out of it.

Exeter 3.00 – Upton Road

I thought he ran really well at Carlisle in the graduation chase last time, much better than his finishing position would suggest. We’ll keep our eye on the forecast with him though, as he won’t run if we don’t get some more rain. I do like him, I think he’s a promising horse for the future.

Exeter 3.35 – Martinhal

Last season was a write-off for him, but the season before that he had some very good form. He’s won twice round Exeter before, so we know he likes the track, and he’s potentially running off a very good mark if you look at some of the horses he beat as a novice, so he’s definitely very interesting.

Tom

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