Scu's Views!

There are four meetings taking place this afternoon, two over the jumps at Wincanton and Carlisle as well as two all-weather flat meetings at Southwell and Kempton.  The stable has four runners at Wincanton this afternoon - they are Volt Face, Obistar, Red Seventy and Our Chief.  Red Seventy was a decent horse on the flat over distances up to a mile but he seems to get the two miles over hurdles okay and he ran well over this course when runner-up to a decent sort on his penultimate start.  Tom Scudamore is in the saddle this afternoon and he looks to have a decent chance - a comment that also applies to well-related newcomer Our Chief who contests the closing bumper.  Stable sponsors Bathwick Tyres are supporting the meeting by sponsoring all seven races on their card.

There are four meetings taking place this afternoon, two over the jumps at Wincanton and Carlisle as well as two all-weather flat meetings at Southwell and Kempton.  The stable has four runners at Wincanton this afternoon - they are Volt Face, Obistar, Red Seventy and Our Chief.  Red Seventy was a decent horse on the flat over distances up to a mile but he seems to get the two miles over hurdles okay and he ran well over this course when runner-up to a decent sort on his penultimate start.  Tom Scudamore is in the saddle this afternoon and he looks to have a decent chance - a comment that also applies to well-related newcomer Our Chief who contests the closing bumper.  Stable sponsors Bathwick Tyres are supporting the meeting by sponsoring all seven races on their card.

I reckon that just about everybody who lives within a 20 mile radius of Cheltenham must move out their homes for the duration of the Festival!  I cannot believe how many advertisements there are in the Racing Post with rooms or houses to let for the week.  The prices range from £600 to £3,500 for five nights - at those sort of prices I would want them to give me a winner every day!

*****

After two years in charge of the national football side, I am still not convinced that Roy Hodgson has any idea what his best team is yet.  England were poor last night against an even poorer Denmark as they ground out a 1-0 victory.  I thought Raheem Sterling looked good, while Sturridge is a striker for Liverpool and should stay a striker.  Rooney doesn't look worth anything like his £300,000 per week pay cheque and we could well struggle to get out of the group stages on this showing...or am I being a little harsh? 

*****

I can barely believe I am writing this, but England have actually managed to win back-to-back cricket matches in the West Indies.  Joe Root scored a good century although poor old Joss Buttler managed to get out on 99 - that extra run would have given him his first century...and what about our player with the Father Christmas beard?  Fortunately the side are not sponsored by Gillette!

*****

Broadcaster Mike Vince was down earlier in the week and was kind enough to ask some of the more pertinent questions in the countdown to the Cheltenham Festival and this morning we bring you the thoughts of stable jockey Tom Scudamore as he looks forward to next week's blue ribband fixture.

Tom Scudamore 2014 Cheltenham Festival Preview

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