Scudamore excited at prospect of steering Grands Crus to glory

That setback last Friday at David Pipe’s stables is one reason why connections chose to swerve the Gold Cup in favour of today’s RSA Chase, even though it is one of the most competitive races of the entire meeting.

This, after all, is a horse that has only raced three times over larger obstacles, albeit in scintillating style.

However, Scudamore was unable to hide his glee at Wetherby in late October when asked if Grands Crus would go chasing this season or maintain his rivalry with the mighty Big Buck’s.

“Keep it quiet, but he jumps brilliantly,” he said.

That promise was confirmed by victories at Cheltenham, Newbury and then the Grade One Feltham Chase, prompting connections to seriously consider an audacious tilt at the Gold Cup.

When John McCririck, Channel Four Racing’s outspoken betting pundit, suggested to Scudamore that Grands Crus lacked jumping experience, the well-spoken jockey had the perfect riposte: “He’s jumped more fences than you’ve eaten hot dinners, Big Mac.”

Today’s race is a formidable one – there is a view that tomorrow’s Jewson Chase, over two-and-a-half miles, might have been a more suitable test for Grands Crus if he is to enjoy a long career at the top.

First Lieutenant heads a very strong Irish challenge – Emerald Isle horses have won the last three renewals – while Yorkshire hopes rest with Sue and Harvey Smith’s Mr Moonshine, the mount of Shane Byrne. Nicky Henderson is also hopeful that Bobs Worth will be revitalised by a wind operation.

But Scudamore remained upbeat ahead of the most important race of his career to date.

This, after all, is a horse that had the class to challenge the record-breaking Big Buck’s at the final flight of last year’s Ladbrokes World Hurdle before Ruby Walsh’s mount dashed Scudamore’s hopes of a famous victory on the run-in.

“I’m not really feeling nervous, it’s more excitement than anything,” said the 29-year-old. “I wouldn’t swap Grands Crus for any other horse all week, but I’m lucky enough to have some other good rides and I’m not just going there for him.”

Scudamore also downplayed last Friday’s schooling fall.

“You have your heart in your mouth a bit when something like that happens, but fortunately he was caught quickly and no damage was done,” he added. “It was just one of those things and just a hiccough. He’s schooled again since and we were all pleased with him, so it’s all systems go.

“He seems well and we just hope he’s in the same sort of form he was in at Kempton. I admire all the other horses and we won’t be thinking it’s easy. On what he’s shown this season he’s the best horse in the race and if he continues that way, he’s going to take an awful lot of beating.”