Tom Scudamore: “This horse has a very good chance and is my best ride of the day”

Peltwell has been disappointing on her last few starts, and she’s still 1lb above her last winning mark, but she’s been a winning machine for her connections. A stiff 2m is probably ideally what she wants, but it would be the class of the race, rather than the trip that might catch her out. This looks like one of the most competitive races she’s contested, and I think West Balboa is a worthy favourite based on her run behind Stage Star at Newbury last year.

Sidi Ismael – 1.10 Sandown

Sidi Ismael has a very good chance here, and I’d definitely say he’s my best ride of the day. He ran very well in a good race at Cheltenham last time, when not far behind Annual Invictus, and I’d say a reproduction of that effort would see him go very close. He wears blinkers for the first time here. He schooled very well in them the other day, so we just thought we’d try something different. I’m really looking forward to riding him.

Bashful Boy – 2.20 Sandown

If we’re honest, he looks like he’s got it all to do in this race. He’s a solid type, and he’s down to his last winning mark, so at least the handicapper has given him a chance. I’m sure he’ll be winning again in the future, but this does look very competitive taking on horses who’ve won at the Cheltenham Festival.

Gwencily Berbas – 3.30 Sandown

He won over further at Exeter this time last year, so the trip shouldn’t bother him, and I’d say he’d have a right chance in this. He can be inconsistent, but he ran well for a long way in the Midlands Grand National at Uttoxeter, so he does seem to relish these marathon trips. He’s now 1lb below his last winning mark, and unlike many of these, he’ll appreciate the better ground, so I think he’s overpriced, and I could certainly see him running a big race.

Sunday

Art Of Illusion – 1.45 Huntingdon

Art of Illusion has taken to fences really well, and he certainly wasn’t disgraced when third at Lingfield last month. He carried on galloping over shorter last time, so this longer trip should suit, but I think he’s versatile with regards to distance. When he won at Plumpton, he looked like he was going to absolutely hack up turning for home, but only just hung on in the end, so I’m hopeful this track will suit him perfectly.

Tom

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