FOX IN BOX SEAT
National glory on fancied Big River
when things aren’t going well – but life goes on and, day to day, it’s similar to how it was before.”
Not that Fox, who became a regular on the Scottish jumps circuit at the start of the decade when partnering Sligo raiders trained by his uncle Mark Mcniff, is complaining.
“Lucinda is a great woman to work for,” says Fox, who joined his cousin Steven at the Arlary House Stables in Milnathort, Kinross – run by Russell and her partner, eight-time champion jockey Peter Scudamore – in October 2013. He became stable No1 when Peter Buchanan retired three years ago.
“She knows horses inside-out and has a great eye and, having Scu there – you couldn’t put a price on it.
“He expects you to ride to high standards and there’s nothing you can ask him that he doesn’t have experience of. It has helped my riding an awful lot.
“It’s a great yard to be based at. Lucinda is a great trainer in every sense, but especially with staying chasers.”
Big River jostles for favouritism at the head of the sponsor’s Scottish National market with Dingo Dollar, Beware The Bear and Vintage Clouds, – the first and second home in the Cheltenham Festival’s Ultima Handicap Chase in which he finished fourth at 28-1.
The nine-year-old is owned by half of the Two Golf Widows partnership Debs Thomson but runs in her Two Black Labs colours.
Fox was recovering from an operation on a slipped disc for his mount’s first two appearances this winter, but was impressed by
Big River, who has made a full recovery from the uneven heartbeat that threatened to derail his novice campaign over fences last winter at Cheltenham.
“He got outpaced at a vital time but he really stayed running and galloped all the way to the line,” he adds.
“By riding him, I’ve no doubt he’ll improve a nice bit for four miles and, if we get a bit of luck in running, he has a great chance.”