Betting

TOM SCUDAMORE ON ISRAEL CHAMP: “You’d like to think he’ll be top quality”

Tom Scudamore provides his thoughts on an array of National Hunt horses ahead of new season, including Israel Champ

Published

2 months ago

August 2, 2021

Dominic Chapman

2A9RAPR Israel Champ ridden by Tom Scudamore (left) on their way to winning the High Sheriff Of Gloucestershire And Racing Remember Standard Open National Hunt Flat Race during the November Meeting at Cheltenham Racecourse, Cheltenham.

Tom Scudamore is hopeful that Israel Champ, a former November Meeting winner, can be a “top quality” renewal to hurdling ahead of the upcoming 2021/22 National Hunt campaign for trainer David Pipe.

WATCH: ISRAEL CHAMP CARRIES A PENALTY TO VICTORY IN A HOT LISTED BUMPER AT ASCOT [CREDIT: RACING TV]

The son of Milan, a former point-to-point winner, won the finale of Cheltenham’s second fixture of the season after an underwhelming showing at Worcester on his first start under rules.

*Tom Scudamore (pictured) is excited by Israel Champ’s reappearance, having not been seen since March 2020*

And he potential was enhanced further when carrying a penalty to victory at Ascot before the turn of 2020, seeing off a hot-field in Berkshire when giving his rivals 4lb.

Speaking on the Paddock Picks Podcast, Scudamore said when asked for which horses he was most excited about for the campaign ahead: “We’ve got some lovely horses to look forward to; you just hope they can all stay in one piece.

*David Pipe trained 52 winners during the 2020/21 season*

“Israel Champ comes back from injury this season. He won a Listed bumper [the season before last] at Cheltenham and then under a penalty at Ascot, where he beat the very good horse of Jonjo O’Neill’s [Soaring Glory] who ended up winning the Betfair Hurdle.

*Soaring Glory ridden by jockey Jonjo O’Neill (centre) clear the last to win the Betfair Hurdle at Newbury Racecourse*

“He beat Bravemansgame and a number of other good horses that day, so you’d like to think he’ll be top, top quality provided his body stays in one piece.

“We’re getting close. The talk has got to stop and we’ve got to crack on, and get on with it.”

Good Risk At All ridden by jockey Sam Twiston-Davies (right) wins The High Sheriff Of Gloucestershire Standard Open NH Flat Race during the Cheltenham November Meeting 2020 at Cheltenham Racecourse. — *Sam Thomas holds two strong contenders switching from bumpers to hurdles but Tom Scudamore is more intrigued by the progress of Skytastic compared to Good Risk At All (pictured)*

The Gloucestershire pilot also provided his thoughts on some other candidates to keep your eyes peeled on ahead of jump racing’s winter return.

“Adagio was a top-class juvenile last year and it’s always hard to see how they’ll go and improve after their grade, but there’s no reason why not and if he doesn’t, then he’s got plenty of options.

WATCH: ADAGIO FINISHED SECOND IN TWO GRADE 1’S LAST SEASON [CREDIT: RACING TV]

“Remastered had a great season last year. He’d be one for the big handicaps and you’d hope that he can make the step up into graded races.

“I rode a really nice horse of Sam Thomas’s who was unbeaten last year called Skytastic. He won around Newbury in a race that worked out very well and then he dotted up at Doncaster, so he could be one that goes [into the new season] under the radar.”