Scudamore has Crus under his control for Hurdle bid

Anticipating a compelling Ladbrokes World Hurdle clash as the galloping grey takes on the brilliant Big Buck’s, who is seeking an unprecedented third successive victory in the race, the veteran commentator said: “Tom’s in a no-win position.

“If he goes too soon, he sets it up for Big Buck’s. If he leaves it too late, he’ll be accused of not going soon enough. I don’t envy him at all.”

Scudamore, however, disagrees with the confidence of a jockey who knows that Grands Crus – who has won his three races this season by wide margins – has still to produce his optimum.

He also knows how to beat Big Buck’s, the mount of Ruby Walsh. When the Paul Nicholls-trained horse fell at the last in the 2008 Hennessy, before reverting to hurdles where he is unbeaten in 10 races, it was Scudamore who profited as Madison du Berlais galloped to a famous victory.

The last jockey to beat Big Buck’s, Scudamore has also ridden against the champion on many subsequent occasions, most notably on the ultra-competitive Lough Derg – the durable, frontrunning horse who has helped to forge Scudamore’s burgeoning relationship with West Country trainer David Pipe.

With both Madison and Grands Crus running in Roger Stanley’s eye-catching purple colours, Scudamore cannot wait for the ultimate test this afternoon on his well-backed horse.

“It’s interesting hearing all these views – Ferdy Murphy even suggested I need a pacemaker – but, in my mind, I know what I want to do,” the 28-year-old told the Yorkshire Post.

“The best horse will win and there will be no excuses. If Big Buck’s gets beat, people will say Ruby left it too late. If I go too early, I’ll be to blame. It sounds like a two-horse race, but it’s not – it’s a high-class field and look what happened to Kauto Star and Denman in last year’s Gold Cup.

“Personally, winning will mean a lot but I don’t like to think what the race will mean until I’ve done it. You’ve got to do it first.”

Even though he has won three races on Grands Crus this season, he says it is difficult to compare the grey’s pace to Big Buck’s – and the latter’s phenomenal turn of speed at the end of a three-mile hurdle race. Perhaps Scudamore’s biggest test will be getting his horse to settle, and not squander too much energy ahead of the punishing, uphill sprint to the line.

“Lough Derg has been great to me, a real personal favourite, and we’ve had some battles with Big Buck’s,” said the rider whose father Peter was a multiple champion jockey.

“He’s a 160 horse, a very good handicapper. Though he’s won a Grade One, he just comes up short at the very top level.

“Hardy Eustace, Black Jack Ketchum, Kasbah Bliss – brilliant horses, Grade One horses. They’ve given me a 20-length start on Lough Derg and not got by me.

“Big Buck’s is a different class. Twice, he’s given me 20 lengths at Newbury and it has made no difference. He’s just come past on the bridle – with the others a mile back. They’ve tried to follow him and failed.

“With Grands Crus, nothing has been able to go with him this season – and that is a good sign. His last run was in the Cleeve Hurdle at Cheltenham and we won by 10 lengths.

“When he’s in his box, he’s half asleep. Get him on the gallops, or a racecourse, and he’s all power.

“I always thought he was a nice horse this season when we won at Plumpton and were second to Sanctuaire at Taunton who went on to win at the Festival for Ruby. But, if you asked me at the start of the season, I would have said that his Festival target would have been the RSA Chase over the bigger obstacles.

“He won nicely at the Paddy Power meeting, but it was only when he backed this up at Haydock six days later, and was even more impressive, that I said to David that we had to take on the big boys.

“On that day, when Imperial Commander won the Betfair Chase, anyone could have won on Grand Crus, even you.”

A far more confident rider now that he has come to terms with having one of the most famous names in racing, Scudamore is the fourth generation to compete over obstacles.

At the same time, punters have also come to terms with the fact that Scudamore will never be as prolific as his illustrious father.

Very few riders are.

Yet, having been verbally abused when beaten on an odds-on chance, the miserly odds invariably did not reflect the horse’s actual ability. It was only because they were trained by Pipe’s father Martin, the record-breaking trainer, that prompted the bookmakers to take no chances.

With Grands Crus backed down from 20-1 to near favouritism for today’s encounter, Scudamore is confident that this horse can take his career to new heights – even though the Big Buck’s camp say it will take an “exceptional” horse to defeat their charge.

Scudamore’s only previous Festival winner came courtesy of An Accordion in a handicap chase three years ago.

However, the eyecatching Grands Crus, at just six years of age, is destined to become a Festival favourite for many years. Indeed, the Cheltenham Gold Cup could be his ultimate objective.

“As Sir Peter O’Sullevan said, it doesn’t matter if it is me or Ruby. The only way you can prove that you are right is by winning – and I am very confident,” added Scudamore.

Delighted to accept Midnight Chance

DOUGIE Costello’s misfortune is Tom Scudamore’s good fortune as he comes in for the eye-catching Cheltenham Gold Cup ride on Midnight Chase after the Malton jockey broke his leg on Monday.

Having ridden Neil Mulholland’s horse for the first time on Tuesday, Scudamore said: “It’s really sad for Dougie because he has done all the hard work, and victory would be down to him. He has Cheltenham form – like Imperial Commander last year.

“A definite plus. And if Imperial, Kauto Star and Denman are not at their best, the golden era of steeplechasing could be over.

“Midnight Chase is as good, if not better, than Cool Dawn, Cool Ground, Mr Mulligan, and Looks Like Trouble – and they have all won Gold Cups. He’s in that league.

“And don’t forget the Irish with Kempes and Pandorama.

They’ve been running on heavy ground all winter but it didn’t matter when Hurricane Fly won the Champion Hurdle. The best horse will win.”