Nick Scholfield: ‘We’ve been brainwashed into thinking that Samcro is a dead cert'
Altior wins. It’s not a serious issue what happened to him. From my previous experience with horses that have had similar issues it’s never a problem and I wouldn’t expect it to affect his performance.
The ground is soft, a lot different to previous years, but I think class tells in the end. The class horses always rise to the top. Maybe Apple’s Jade was a bit disappointing but the rest delivered on the first day.
I was with Sam Twiston-Davies and Nico De Boinville earlier. Sam was surprisingly bullish about Politologue’s chances of springing a surprise in the Queen Mother, taking down the big guns in Altior, Min and Douvan. He’s also riding Topofthegame in the Coral Cup beforehand in what is probably Paul Nichols’ best chance over the week. He thinks he’s got a massive chance, to be fair he is a proper nice horse and won’t mind the ground. I think he’ll run a solid race.
I think we’ve been brainwashed into thinking that Samcro is a dead cert. Jake Kennedy got beaten today and I think there are a couple of other strong horses that could give him a run for his money. Noel Fehily rides Black Op and I like Ben Pauling’s horse Gowiththeflow and think he could well give him a run.
For me Presenting Percy in the RSA Chase will cope with the ground better that the rest of the opposition. I’m not convinced by Monalee, I don’t think the ground will suit and I wonder what he’ll find off the bridle. One to keep an eye on is definitely Black Corton. It wouldn’t surprise me to see him win.
The Fred Winter is a bit of a lottery but Grand Sancy (best price 25/1) will ride into a place with Sam Twiston-Davies on board. It’s one of the weaker races this week and could throw up a big price winner.
