Jockey Q&A: 'I'd love to think he will improve some more at his age - he's exciting'

Over the next few weeks we will bring you a series of app-exclusive Q&As with pro punters, trainers and jockeys which will offer unrivalled insight to our sport. This series continues this week with jockeys. Today: Tom Scudamore

Who's the best horse you've ever ridden?

Thistlecrack. Before he got injured, I just had to keep a leg either side and his head off the floor. I rode him 18 times and won five Grade 1s on him, including the World Hurdle at the 2016 Cheltenham Festival and the King George VI Chase at Kempton the same year when he was still a novice.

Who's your favourite horse of all time?

Lough Derg. He was the horse who got me going and I rode him 45 times! There were eight wins, six seconds and four thirds in that period and the biggest victory was the 2007 Long Walk Hurdle at Ascot when he beat Hardy Eustace, but he also won a couple of National Spirit Hurdles at Fontwell as well.

Which horse was your most difficult ride?

Although not difficult in the race, Western Warhorse used to keep Persil in business on the way to the start. Luckily he was worth the effort to get there and he memorably beat Champagne Fever in the Arkle at the 2014 Cheltenham Festival.

Which winner has given you most satisfaction?

Next Sensation's Grand Annual victory in 2015 was pretty special from a family perspective as he was trained by my brother Michael.

If you could ride one race again, what would it be?

The 2012 Cheltenham Gold Cup. I was riding The Giant Bolster for David Bridgwater and Simon Hunt and we were two and quarter lengths behind Synchronised. If you're second in the biggest race you'd want to do it again.

What's the funniest thing you've seen on a racecourse?

Dan Fortt, a former jockey who was just coming to the end of his career when I was starting in the late-nineties. He then joined the circus!

What's the hardest course to ride?

Catterick as I've never had a winner there. They all change from day to day, but as a jockey it's the luckiest or unluckiest tracks that stick out.

Which horse are you most looking forward to riding this year?

I'd love to think that Gericault Roque will improve some more at his age. He's exciting. Twice a winner over hurdles, he went chasing last season and didn't win in five starts, but he was never out of the first three and was second in Warwick's Classic Chase and filled the same spot in the Ultima at the Cheltenham Festival.

Can you give us another horse to follow?

Anglers Crag, who won a point-to-point and bumper in Ireland before joining David [Pipe]. I won a novice hurdle on him at Leicester in February, but he was pulled up a few weeks later in the Prestige Novices' Hurdle at Haydock.

Read more jockey Q&As:

Hollie Doyle: 'It was a huge task carrying so much weight - it's a day I won't forget'  

Sam Twiston-Davies: 'Paul Nicholls wasn't happy - and I wasn't best pleased either'