Odds of 4-1 for Cloth Cap in Grand National more than fair says Tom Scudamore

The recent history of the Randox Grand National has not featured many horses who are as far ahead of their handicap mark as Cloth Cap, and Tom Scudamore can see just why his mount has been backed to 4-1 for the race.

The Trevor Hemmings-owned nine-year-old bolted into the Aintree reckoning with a ten-length demolition of his rivals in the Ladbrokes Trophy in November, but trainer Jonjo O'Neill then kept him off the track for 98 days before he impressed again in his defeat of Aso in Kelso's Premier Chase this month, by which time his National mark of 148 had been set.

Grand National entries and betting

He is now rated 162, and Scudamore said: "In any other handicap he'd be even shorter than that if he was 14lb well in so it's up to the bookmakers to decide what is a fair price and what isn't but I'm hoping that come that Saturday evening, he'll be looking like he was a massive price."

On a press call organised by Jockey Club Racecourses, Scudamore said he felt Cloth Cap had fully earned his place at the head of the market.

"It's a lovely position to be in, a very privileged position to be riding the favourite in the National," added the rider. "I'd much rather be on the favourite rather than under the radar on one of the outsiders. He's favourite for a very good reason."

Tom Scudamore: rider cannot wait for AintreeCredit: Edward Whitaker

Cloth Cap first marked himself out as a potential Aintree candidate when finishing third to Takingrisks in the Scottish Grand National in 2019, while his two successes this year have been under bold-jumping front-running tactics, although Scudamore does not see his big-race fancy as being one-dimensional.

He said: "We got a good start at Newbury and he just took each fence as it came. It was a similar sort of scenario at Kelso but he doesn't have to make the running.

"He was up in the van when he ran well in the Scottish National but I wouldn't just put it down to the fact that he's been able to make the running that the improvement has come about. He's matured mentally this season and he's gone from strength to strength."

Scudamore reported Triumph Hurdle runner-up Adagio is also likely to head to Aintree for the Grade 1 Anniversary Hurdle and reflected that his performance at Cheltenham was the undoubted highlight of an otherwise frustrating week.

"It was a brilliant run and he's improved with every single run this year," said Scudamore. "His jumping was so slick and accurate around Cheltenham. We were beaten fair and square on the day by Quilixios but he's proved again that he's Grade 1 quality and he's a very exciting horse."

Adagio (far left ) found only Quilixios (blue cap) too strong in the Triumph HurdleCredit: Michael Steele (Getty Images)

Asked about the atmosphere in the British weighing room during a week of Irish domination, Scudamore went on: "It's never a barrel of laughs when you're getting beaten and we felt the same as every other British person involved in racing.

"We well and truly had our backsides tanned and it's up to us to go out and change it. There's no point in complaining or moaning, it's just a case of going out and getting it right.

"Last week was a lesson to everybody that we've got a lot of catching up to do. I could do plenty of talking about it but it's deeds that matter and we've all got to pull our socks up."

Read more:

'It's a dream come true' – owner of National hope thrilled by prospect of return

'It's the biggest of the lot' – Henderson enters six in bid for first National

Cloth Cap proves a perfect Trophy fit after storming home under happy Scudamore

Jonjo O'Neill: 'There was something wrong with me but I couldn't say anything'

'He's a real cracking horse' – Cloth Cap slashed for National after Kelso romp

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