Tom Scudamore: “He’s the one I’m making the trip to Kelso for”

Jockey and Coral ambassador Tom Scudamore previews his weekend rides at Warwick and Kelso.

Not the busiest weekend in terms of rides, but I’ll certainly be busy in the car as I have two rides at Warwick on Saturday, then it’s north of the border on Sunday as I head to Kelso for another two there.

I head to Warwick first for one of their biggest days of the year. I’ve always found that particularly over fences, Warwick is one of the quickest tracks in the country. Those five fences down the back come up so fast, and that seems to be where the races are won and lost. It’s a very good track for young horses, and it’s no surprise that you see plenty of Arkle winners having had a spin round Warwick, which is something Jonbon obviously did this season.

It’s then off to Kelso, which is a track I’ve always enjoyed riding. It’s a funny place because it can either get very soft or very quick there, but it looks like it’s going to be very testing on Sunday. The chase course would be a lot stiffer than the hurdle course because you swing out a lot wider down the back, but the hurdle course can be quite tight, so you can get away on one from the front if you’re clever.

Saturday 

12.40 Warwick – Ocean Heights

My first ride of the day is Ocean Heights in the opening contest at Warwick. He makes his handicap debut in this, and it doesn’t look like there’s too many runners. He did disappoint us last time at Ludlow, but that was his first run for a while so he’s entitled to come on plenty for that.

It’s his second start after wind surgery, and I do find that the majority of horses improve on their second start after the operation. That first run just teaches them that the breathing issues they’ve previously had have improved, so on that next run, they are often willing to push themselves that bit harder as they know they shouldn’t be in any discomfort.