Tom Scudamore on his weekend rides at Newbury and Sedgefield

Top jockey Tom Scudamore talks briefly about Cheltenham and previews his weekend rides exclusively for Coral…

I’ve had a good week so far with a couple of winners to my name going into the weekend which is always nice. Hopefully I can kick on over the next couple of days. On Saturday I am riding at Newbury where in the first race I am on board Oscarteea in the veterans’ race at 1.30. This will be the first time I have ridden the horse. It’s been a long time since he has won but he is dropping down the weights. This race gives him a good opportunity to try and score again.

At 2.05 I ride my old friend Shotavodka who won this veterans’ handicap chase 12 months ago. He is off a similar mark now. He has been a bit in and out but he does seem to like Newbury. If he turns up in the same mood that he did last year then he will be hard to beat as he ran away with it in 2016. Sadly he has been unable to replicate that run since then though.

In the 2.40 I am riding for Michael Blake with Doubly Clever. He’s a tough horse but he looks like he has a bit to find in this race at Newbury.

I am really looking forward to riding Vic Du Touzaine in the 3.15. I was second on him at Wincanton last month. The more rain, the better for my horse. It looks like they have already had plenty of rain going into Saturday which is a good sign. It was a really pleasing first run to his campaign and Venetia’s horses are in tremendous form. He is my best chance of the weekend.

In the penultimate race at 4.25 at Newbury I am on board Cepage for Venetia once again. Just like with Vic De Touzaine, the softer the ground, the better. It doesn’t look the most competitive of races so she looks to have found the right opportunity for him. I’ve had some good success with Venetia and I have always enjoyed riding for her. Whenever there has been a decent stayer, I’ve often been the one to pick it up.