“Tom Scudamore: Ramses De Teillee has gone up four pounds which seems fair”

Aintree 13.30 – Ramses De Teillee 

It wasn’t a straightforward choice to ride Ramses De Teillee in the Becher, as Vieux Lion Rouge is brilliant over the National fences, and I’m sure he’ll give Conor O’Farrell a lovely spin round.

However, Ramses was fabulous at Cheltenham last time, and also ran a nice race in France before that. He’s gone up four pounds which seems fair – he’s a rejuvenated horse this year and is seeing out his races much better.

I schooled him in the week, he jumped well and felt good. He was unlucky the last time he ran over these fences as his reins broke in the 2019 National, so we deserve a bit more luck this time. The ground and trip will be no problem, and in what is always a hot race, I’m looking forward to riding him.

I still get a huge buzz riding over the National fences, it’s always an achievement just getting round, and I absolutely love it.

Aintree 14.05 – Army Of One

I ride Army Of One for Gavin Cromwell in the Listed three-year-old Fillies’ Juvenile Hurdle. I’ve had a few rides for Gavin in the past although not for a while.

This filly is having her first run over hurdles having come off the flat in Germany. Gavin is aiming quite high here but he’s a very good trainer who wouldn’t be sending her over without good reason.

Aintree 15.15 – Swift Crusader

My second ride over the big fences is Swift Crusader in the Grand Sefton. He had some decent form for Evan Williams and then Alexandra Dunn, now with Sam Drinkwater, he ran OK in hunter chases last season.

I finished fourth on him at Sandown before that, touchwood he jumps well and will take to the National fences. He has a bit to find with some of these but if he takes to it, the difference challenge might just bring that improvement.

Tom