Tom Scudamore on Grand National hope: “He’s favourite for a very good reason”

Tom Scudamore is the jockey of the hot favourite for this year’s Grand National, Cloth Cap. He has spoken on his chances for the race and said nothing to put anyone off his mount.

The rider stated ‘‘in any other handicap he’d be even shorter than that if he was 14lb well in so… it is a fair price.’’ Scudamore continued by saying ‘’I’m hoping that come that Saturday evening, he’ll be looking like he was a massive price.”

Cloth Cap shortened dramatically in the betting after his demolition job at Kelso last time. This came after the weights for the big race had been finalised. This means that Scuadamore’s ride will run off 148 in the National, despite now being rated at 162.

The nine-year-old was already prominent in the betting for the race after he won the Ladbrokes Trophy in November. However, his subsequent performance at the Scottish track caused his price to tumble.

He jumps and travels

His slick jumping and powerful travelling style from the front had good horses out of their comfort zone all the way at Kelso and has attracted punters to the Jonjo O’Neill trained gelding. But Scudamore has stated that he is versatile when it comes to tactics, ‘’he doesn’t have to make the running.’’

Cloth Cap has not been tested over the Aintree fences, but with the alterations made to them in recent years, this clearly has not put many people off. Scudamore finished by stating, ‘’he’s matured mentally this season, and he’s gone from strength to strength… he’s favourite for a very good reason.’’

Trevor Hemmings, who owns the horse, will be bidding for his record fourth Grand National winner and looks to have a prime candidate. Cloth Cap’s chances look particularly strong as the horse that has dominated the last two renewals, Tiger Roll, has been withdrawn.

His jockey seems confident of a favourite’s performance.

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