Herefordshire – based horse trainer Michael Scudamore could have a successful 2021/22 season on his hands if one of his leading charges can take the next step forward in his development. Do Your Job enjoyed a solid season over hurdles in the 2020/21 season, putting forward two excellent performances towards the end of the campaign. He notched two second-place finishes to end the term on a high note, although his season was at one time threatened by wind surgery that knocked him out of action for a considerable period.

Now he could be primed for a run at next year’s Cheltenham Festival, although Scudamore faces the decision of whether to keep his charge over hurdles or make the move to become a chaser. The early ante-post odds would suggest that Scudamore is planning a move to take Do Your Job novice chasing. It would put him in line to run in the Arkle Chase or the Marsh NovicesÔÇÖ Chase, although he will face off against the likes of Appreciate It, who is backed at 5/2 in the horse racing betting odds to win the Arkle. Scudamore did have a winner in the Grand Annual Chase at Cheltenham Festival in 2015 with Next Sensation, but his overall success at the Festival has been thin on the ground to date.

Do Your Job has the potential to compete for honours, but he will have to hit the ground running as a chaser amid a talented field of horses that will be vying for the major honours. He notched two earlier victories last season at Ffos Las in a National Hunt novices’ hurdle and then again in another novicesÔÇÖ hurdle event at Ayr, delivering a victory by nine lengths at the latter. However, that progress was halted in the Newton Novices’ Hurdle at Haydock Park, where he was the favourite, only to finish second behind Llandinabo Lad.

In his first major outing of the season at Sandown Park in the Grade I Tolworth Novices’ Hurdle, ScuadmoreÔÇÖs charge lacked the pace of Metier, finishing 23 1/2 lengths behind the winner. However, he did put forward a decent display to finish fourth before undergoing wind surgery. After a 63-day layoff, he was pressed back into action at the Premier Novices’ Hurdle at Kelso against the outstanding horse My Drogo. Do Your Job battled in the early stages and was handy throughout, although he was eventually blown away by Harry SkeltonÔÇÖs charge. It was still an encouraging performance to finish second in a Grade II race.

My Drogo wins the bet365 Premier NovicesÔÇÖ Hurdle

That's 3 out of 3 over hurdles

Watch LIVE
­ƒô║ @ITV
­ƒô▒ https://t.co/qvqqUMKxOG#ITVRacing pic.twitter.com/SjZgw1rGkm

— ITV Racing (@itvracing) March 6, 2021

He was competitive once again in the final race of the term in Aintree’s Top Novices’ Hurdle. The Irish thoroughbred pushed Belfast Banter all the way to the line, but just could not close in time to get up. However, it was another solid performance and a potential building block for the future.

Scudamore now has a difficult but tantalizing choice to make regarding his future. Do Your Job does have great potential, but the question is whether he has enough to match the rising stars of the chasing circuit. The early suggestions would appear not, but a summer on his back may have allowed him further development to put him in the frame for some big races this winter.

Either way, he’s one for your notebook.