Scu raves over Ahoy

THERE are moments in racing that can seem significant and it is rare to see as seasoned a jockey and trainer as Peter Scudamore so enthused about a horse as he was over Newbury victor Ahoy Senor. The six-year-old is just starting to climb the ladder and eighttimes champion jockey Scudamore, who is assistant to partner Lucinda Russell, could not hide his excitement after Derek Fox had brought him home 31 lengths clear of his three rivals in the Grade Two

John Francome Novices’ Chase.

A shock winner of an Aintree Grade One over hurdles in the spring, Ahoy Senor had fluffed his lines on his chasing bow, unseating Fox in an intermediate chase at Carlisle won by Fiddlerontheroof. Scudamore’s faith remained unshaken though and he has no doubts Ahoy Senor is destined for the top.

by JASON HEAVEY

He said: “Training in Scotland, you seem a little bit of an underdog. And then, when I was watching him work, I said to the owners, ‘This horse is as good as I have dealt with’, but then, when you get close to the time, I thought, ‘I wish I hadn’t opened my mouth’, “He just loves it. You watch him walk, he has a presence about him, he has his ears pricked. He is not stupid, he just wants to get on with it. “How far he can go, I don’t know but today was a nice marker to lay down in a competitive division. “I have been through all this before. After all these years in the game, it’s amazing how this can get you so wound up and so excited about a horse. “There is no fuss when he goes up the gallops. He is just on a different level.”