Scudamore motors home Lucinda’s 7-1 shot for home winner in big one TOM’S DAYS THUNDER
MIGHTY THUNDER stormed to victory for the home team in the Scottish Grand National at Ayr.
The 7-1 shot was bidding to give Lucinda Russell more big-race glory after Ahoy Senor’s Grade One strike at Aintree.
The Nicola and Colin Drysdale-owned gelding made a slow start in the four-mile spectacular.
And the eight-year-old was pushed along for most of the four-mile trip by new pilot Tom Scudamore.
However, his stamina came into play as he gradually moved into contention on the final circuit.
A home win looked likely as Sandy Thomson’s Dingo Dollar (7-1Fav) and The Ferry Master (20-1) led turning for home. Dingo Dollar soon got the better of that argument and he powered into a clear lead three out.
However, Scudamore had yet to play his hand on Mighty Thunder who went for glory two out.
The Arlary raider quickly wore his rival down on the run to the last, hitting the front a furlong out.
He then kept on gamely to become the first tartan winner of the big Scottish race since Merigo in 2012.
Dingo Dollar was a length back in second with Irish raider Mister Fogpatches (8-1) a gallant third.
The Ferry Master plugged on for fourth while Cool Mix took fifth for Dumfries handler Iain Jardine.
Russell said: “He just loves the four miles. He doesn’t take much out of himself early on in the race but then he really finishes well.
“I’m delighted and I’m really pleased for Scotland. It’s nice to have a Scottish winner and he’s Scottish-owned as well, as Nicola and Colin Drysdale live in St Andrews.
“He’ll go for the Grand National at Aintree next year. I think we’ll probably aim him for the Becher Chase but go somewhere first.”
Scudamore was replacing the injured Blair Campbell on the winner and he said: “It’s brilliant, Lucinda Russell has had a great couple of weeks with the Grade One at Aintree and this.
“You’ve got to feel sorry for Blair Campbell as he would have ridden him if he hadn’t been hurt.”
Might Thunder is now a 33-1 shot to add next year’s Randox Grand National at Aintree to his CV.
Thomson gained compensation when Bass Rock (17-2) landed the Coral Handicap Hurdle under Danny McMenamin. Milkwood (3/1Fav) pulled off Neil Mulholland’s shrewd plan in the Scottish Champion Hurdle.
The gelding had been aimed at the Grade Two ever since taking the Welsh version at Ffos Las in October. And he didn’t disappoint with a decisive four-length defeat of Anna Bunina (8-1) under Sam Twiston-Davies.
Mulholland said: “He ran very well in the Welsh Champion Hurdle and Ayr is a very similar track.”
Allmankind (11-10Fav) was in a class of his own in the Future Champions’ Novices’ Chase.
Dan Skelton’s star was trying 2m 4f for the first time after his fair fourth in the Arkle at Cheltenham.
The gelding didn’t jump as slickly as usual in the Grade Two but had the race under control two out.
Malystic (7-1) did his best but was no match for the winner who hosed up by 19 lengths for Harry Skelton.
One More Fleurie (11-1) was almost as dominant in the CPMS Novices’ Champion Handicap Chase.
Ian Williams’ horse put his rivals to the sword from the front with a potent display of jumping and galloping.
I’m really pleased for Scotland. It is nice to have a Scots winner LUCINDA RUSSELL CAN’T HIDE HER JOY AT WIN