Tom Scudamore: “He’s been a revelation for us this season”

Jockey and Coral ambassador Tom Scudamore previews his rides at Newbury on Saturday.

We are heading towards the end of a busy festive period, and although I wouldn’t have minded another winner or two at this stage, I was delighted with Remastered at Kempton the other day, and Royal Pagaille ran a cracker to finish second in the King George on Boxing Day.

Challow Hurdle day is always a good day at Newbury, and there’s some really nice horses declared, so hopefully there’s a good crowd there to enjoy what should be an excellent afternoon of racing.

I have four rides on the card, including one in the big race, so hopefully we’ll have a good day!

12.10 – Heure De Gloire

She’s had plenty of runs for David, but this is my first go on her actually. She ran reasonably well at Lingfield last time, but by the looks of it, she just bumped into a very well-handicapped horse that day.

This is a more competitive race so she’ll have to take a big step forward on that form, but she’s back down to her last winning mark so hopefully she’s got an each-way chance.

1.15 – Mongol Emperor

He was disappointing on his chase debut at Wetherby in October, but he did do a bit better last time. The track and the conditions should help him here, as you tend to get slightly better ground at Newbury than you do at Wetherby.

He’s a horse who’s had a few issues and it might just take him a bit of time to get the hang of chasing, but hopefully it stays dry for him and he runs a nice race.