THERE was a fairytale ending to champion jump jockey Peter Scudamore's long and successful career when Sweet Duke, his last ride, won the Alpine Meadow Handicap Hurdle at Ascot, amid the tears and cheers of well-wishers.
It was all very different, and a welcome change from the Grand National fiasco at Aintree the previous Saturday. The smooth execution of the Scudamore retirement went a long way to restoring a little pride to the tens of thousands of dejected National Hunt fans throughout the country. Scudamore, 34, has always been famous for his judgement and timing, and after announcing the end of his career on Wednesday morning - it shocked the racing world - he went out to register his 1,678th winner, giving him a total almost 300 more than the great John Francome.
''The reason I am retiring is that I want to get out at the top in one piece. Two recent occurrences convinced me that I should get out,'' Scudamore said quite candidly.
''Recently, I went to Southwell and I didn't enjoy it at all. Then, at Uttoxeter, I rode a horse for Oliver Sherwood, and looking at the ride, in retrospect, I felt that I wasn't as brave as I should have been,'' said Scudamore.
Typical Scudamore. His honesty and critical self-examination have been unique features of his make-up for many years. Not even eight jockeys' titles, the last seven in succession, have taken that away.
His father Michael Scudamore won the Gold Cup and Grand National, while his godfather Pat Taaffe rode Arkle, the greatest steeplechaser ever to look through a bridle.