Tom Scudamore: “The conditions will suit Umbrigado”

Coral ambassador previews his upcoming rides

Ascot 15.35 – Umbrigado

I only have the one ride this weekend, but it’s a good looking one!

We’re dropping Umbrigado back to two miles, but the rain has come in time for him, it will make it more of a stamina test, which will suit him.

I’d say he probably didn’t quite get home at Haydock last time, over three miles, and he has won over two miles at Southwell, which is a sharp track, so although 2 ½ miles might have been ideal, the conditions here will suit him.

If we’re in touch turning for home I’d like to think we’ll be hard to beat.

Boxing Day – Ladbrokes King George

Whichever race connections decided to aim Thistlecrack at, the Marsh Hurdle or the King George, it would have been a Grade One, which is a lovely position to be in, but even so it was still fantastic when they confirmed he would head to Kempton on Boxing Day.

With only seven left in the race, we could end up with a four or five-runner race, and having sat on him in the week, he seemed in really good order.

His run at Newbury was really encouraging, he would have needed it and he’ll improve lots for it. He wasn’t beaten far by Clan Des Obeaux in the King George last year, and while it’s a strong looking race, with Lostintranslation and Cyrname in the mix, he’s a previous winner and could well be in the mix.

Riding in the King George, where you carry plenty of weight, means I can have a half decent Christmas lunch!  We have a four-day break this year, which is lovely, and means I can spend time with the family, relax a bit, and enjoy the festivities.