The view from Hereford Racecourse with Keith Ottesen (From Hereford Times)

The view from Hereford Racecourse with Keith Ottesen

3:58pm Thursday 12th April 2012 in Other

THERE is no doubt that, when the runners line up for the start of Saturday's Grand National, one Herefordshire-born man's memories will go back to 1959 when he himself rode the winner of the world's greatest steeplechase.

No prizes for guessing that I am referring to Michael Scudamore who, having his ninth ride in the race, was successful on Mr J E Bigg's OXO a former point-to-pointer trained by Willie Stephenson at Royston in Hertfordshire.

OXO won by one and a half lengths from Wyndburgh with the 1958 winner Mr What a further eight lengths away in third place.

Michael, who rode in 16 consecutive Grand Nationals, never had the pleasure of seeing his son, eight-time champion jockey Peter Scudamore, ride a Grand National winner although he did ride a record-breaking four Welsh Grand National winners at Chepstow.

However, he could get to see his grandson Tom Scudamore partner the David Pipe trained Junior to Aintree glory on Saturday!

King Caple's Venettia Williams, who became only the second woman trainer to win the race with Mon Mome in 2009, will be hoping that she can land the double with the same horse who on that occasion romped home to a 12-length win at odds of 100-1.

And as she said at the time: "It's the race everyone wants to win that's the same all over the world, but you always assume that it is out of reach.''

Well, Mon Mome wouldn't be the first horse to land two Grand Nationals.

Hereford Racecourse Fixtures: April 25; May 3,15; June 14, 24.

Arab horse racing will take place at the racecourse on June 3 and July 22.

For more information and tickets e-mail info@hereford-racecourse.co.uk, call 01432 273560 or see website www.hereford-racecourse.co.uk