Tom Scudamore takes us through his Cheltenham Day One rides

Tom talks Un Temps Pour Tout, Moon Racer, Pass The Time and Champers On Ice…

My first ride on day one of the Festival this year is Un Temps Pour Tout in the Ultima Handicap Chase at 2.50. He seems to be coming to himself again. He’s gone up seven pounds since he won this race last year. This is going to be a competitive race, as you would expect it to be, but I go there pretty confident. I know my horse will relax and not be phased by the occasion. We will have to carry top weight but that means we are the best horse in the race. It is so hard to get into these races now. If you are 10 lbs well in you won’t get a run. My horse is probably a grade below Gold Cup class but he is a very good handicapper and I think he has a great chance.

In the Champion Hurdle at 3.30 I am on board Moon Racer. We took into account many factors when deciding whether to run the horse in the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle or the Champion Hurdle. His age was one of those factors, but I think what swung it was the fact he is a fragile horse and this might be his crack at the big time. We go there full of hope. He’s going to have to be very good to win a Champion Hurdle on only his third start over hurdles. He’ll love the competitive nature of the race and will handle the big field and occasion. It’s going to be flat out gallop. The likes of The New One will ensure it is a good pace. Yanworth will also want a strong run contest. I have in my mind what I want to do and I’ll endeavour to do that.

At 4.10 it is the Mares’ Hurdle where my mount is Pass The Time for Neil Mullholland. She’s got a lot to find but she has run well in this race before as she was fourth 12 months ago. There is definitely more strength in depth this year with Limini, Vroum Vroum Mag and Apple’s Jade. My horse is a big price though and I am sure she will be thereabouts come the finish.