Hennessy a realistic target
Scudamore was thrilled with his seasonal debut when winning over hurdles at Aintree and the seven-year-old goes into the race in good heart
JOCKEY Tom Scudamore believes Un Temps Pour Tout's victorious seasonal bow bodes well ahead of his bid for Hennessy Gold Cup glory at Newbury on Saturday.
The seven-year-old cost his current owners £450,000 at the sales back in 2013 after winning three times in France during his early career.
Un Temps Pour Tout initially found some big-race assignments beyond him, but after winning the French Champion Hurdle in June 2015, he was sent over fences last term with five runs, highlighted by victory in the Ultima Handicap Chase at the Cheltenham Festival.
Scudamore thinks Un Temps Pour Tout's purchase price is now "irrelevant" given his racing record and career earnings of nearly £430,000.
He said: "It (Cheltenham) was a great day, he's a horse with a tremendous amount of ability.
"He's done very, very well for us. He's been one of the main flag-bearers for Pond House for the last couple of seasons, and it would be nice if he could go and top it off with a Hennessy.
"I think he's got to the stage in his career now where given the success he's had, his price-tag is irrelevant.
"I think he's put that to bed over the years, he's been a fantastic horse for the yard.
"There are plenty of horses that are expensive out there but he's not only talked the talk, he's walked the walk.
"He's a Grade One winner, a Cheltenham Festival winner and it would be lovely to think he could be a Hennessy winner."
The David Pipe-trained Un Temps Pour Tout got his season off to a perfect start when successful over hurdles at Aintree, although multiple Grade One winner Zarkandar appeared set to make a race of it before he unshipped his rider at the last flight.
Scudmore said: "Aintree was great. I think David left a bit to work on as well.
"I think he will improve for it. Normally he needs his first run and he comes on for that.
"I think that's the first time, for us anyway, that he has won first time out in a season so that was very positive for us.
"Zarkandar was obviously going well when he fell upsides us, but Zarkandar is another rattling good horse.
"It was a really, really pleasing start."
Un Temps Pour Tout is as low as 7-1 with Ladbrokes for the Hennessy, with Native River heading the betting as a general 5-1 favourite.
Drumacoo is available at around the 20-1 mark for Ben Pauling as he prepares for his first start since finishing fourth in the Reynoldstown at Ascot back in February.
The seven-year-old had won his previous chase outing and Pauling was pleased to see the recent spell of wet weather ahead of Drumacoo's return.
He said: "Drumacoo is in good fettle. We are loving the fact it is raining and it will need to continue to do so as soft ground is important."
