Nick Scholfield: 'Jack Quinlan fancies his chances on Kalashnikov as weather gives trainers a headache.'
I sit quite close to Jack Quinlan in the changing rooms and it’s his first big race ride tomorrow on Kalashnikov and he seems very relaxed about it. I’m sure he’ll be getting butterflies come tomorrow morning but because it’s his first big race ride he has no negative thoughts in his mind. He goes into the Supreme with massive confidence, as he should do. He believes the horse has the ability and should be considered as the favourite alongside Getabird.
Having said that Noel Fehily will have in the back of his head that he beat Kalashnikov in the Tolworth with Summerville Boy and the ground has come up in his favour so Jack will have to respect him.
In terms of the Arkle, I’ve been saying Footpad is a good thing all along but now with the rain I think Saint Calvados has a massive chance. The rain has definitely helped him, so fingers crossed. It would be great to see Harry Whittington win.
I’ll be riding Knight of Noir in the Ultima, he’s just changed trainer and this is the first run for Michael Blake. He’s a very good hurdler, he beat Beer Goggles over hurdles at Aintree so he’s got the ability for sure.
Buveur D’Air doesn’t get beat in the Champion Hurdle. I can see Faugheen chasing him home with the cheek pieces, I didn’t think his run was that bad the other day and with Ruby Walsh back on him I can see that being the one-two. Apples Jade won’t lose in the Mares Hurdle and 8/1 looks a big price on Ms Parfois in the National Hunt. She’ll love the ground and I fancy her to provide a real threat to the likes of Jury Duty.
