Tag Archive for: Sam Thomas

Vincenzo going for Newbury gold for in-form Sam Thomas

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Sam Thomas was a whisker away from claiming two of the biggest races last weekend and he is seeking more Saturday riches with Vincenzo in the £100,000 BetVictor Greatwood Gold Cup at Newbury.

On the mark with easy winner Katate Dori in the valuable Ladbrokes Trophy at Kempton, he was narrowly denied in Fontwell’s National Spirit Hurdle when Nemean Lion got up to beat his Steel Ally.

Thomas is operating above a 20 per cent strike-rate this season and over the last fortnight that has risen to better than 40 per cent, so not surprisingly confidence is high that Vincenzo is capable of running a big race.

In three runs over fences this term, he has run over two miles and, despite winning two of them and chasing home Kalif Du Berlais at Cheltenham, Thomas feels he is crying out to be stepped up in distance.

“He’s been running like a horse recently that wants stepping up in trip and this looks the right time to do it,” said the South Glamorgan-based trainer.

“He’s been running really well, his form looks strong and hopefully he should run well again.

“He bumped into a good one at Cheltenham and the horse he beat last time at Sandown (Doyen Du Bar) has come out and won well this week, so the form stacks up.”

Thomas added: “The horses have been going well. We’re doing nothing different at home, they don’t look any different, it’s just that things seem to be falling into place. Long may it continue.”

Oliver Greenall and Josh Guerriero represent another stable on the up and while their big Grand National hope Iroko has been declared for this race, it was only as a second preference in case there were any issues with Saturday’s Premier Chase at Kelso, where he is due to clash with Grey Dawning.

They still have a very lively contender for Newbury’s feature in Billytherealbigred, who went out on his shield behind stable companion Jagwar at Cheltenham last time out.

Guerriero said: “He’s in good nick and flying at home. The ground has come good for him, as he loves that real soft ground, and I think he’ll have a great chance.

“He hasn’t got much weight, so we’ll probably try for a front-running bold bid and see how we get on.”

Paul Nicholls’ Coral Gold Cup winner Kandoo Kid, his main Grand National prospect, has his tune-up for Aintree but is no forlorn hope having finished second in the race 12 months ago.

“This looks an ideal prep race for the Grand National, which has been his target ever since he finished a close third in the Topham Trophy last April. I was thrilled with his stylish victory in the Coral Gold Cup at Newbury in November,” Nicholls told Betfair.

“While he is in great shape, we haven’t been super hard on him since then and a run now gives us five weeks to get him spot on for the National. Soft ground will not be an issue.”

Nicholls also runs Beau Balko and added: “He has a perfect light weight, with Ben Bromley taking off a further 5lb in a race we have won nine times from the last 18 times it has been held.

“Beau Balko keeps knocking at the door and put in another solid run when he was a good second at Musselburgh on New Year’s Day. I’d like to think he can finish in the first four.”

Ultima the top option for Kempton star Katate Dori

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Sam Thomas would prefer to run his impressive Kempton winner Katate Dori in the Ultima Handicap Chase at Cheltenham out of his three Festival entries.

The Dai Walters-owned seven-year-old led his rivals a merry dance in the valuable Ladbrokes Trophy on Saturday, coming home 15 lengths clear under Charlie Deutsch.

Thomas’ go-to jockey Dylan Johnston had chosen to ride stablemate Our Power, who finished third.

Katate Dori also holds entries in the revamped National Hunt Chase over three and three-quarter miles as well as the Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Challenge Cup for amateur jockeys, but it is the prestigious handicap on the first day of the meeting Thomas has his eye on.

There is one stumbling block, however, he is currently 37th on the list and a maximum of 24 can go to post.

“He’s been fine since and if he gets in, I’d like to run him in the Ultima. He needs a few to come out still but with several above him having multiple entries, that is a possibility,” said Thomas.

“That’s the way I’m thinking because watching him last week, he didn’t look like a horse who wanted to cover an extra five furlongs, which he would have to in the National Hunt Chase.

“To me, he looked very happy being ridden forward, enjoying himself, so if we had the choice, that would be the way we’d like to go.

“If we could get him in there on a nice low weight, I think that would be preferable to trying to get him to stay in the novice race, so it would be the Ultima first choice, or failing that the Kim Muir.”

Katate Dori and Charlie Deutsch shine in Ladbrokes Trophy

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Charlie Deutsch delivered a riding masterclass as he steered Katate Dori to a runaway victory in the Ladbrokes Trophy Handicap Chase.

Trained by Sam Thomas, the seven-year-old arrived in fine heart having won two of his last three starts and he was ridden with supreme confidence by Deutsch over the three-mile trip.

Beachcomber set the early pace, but Deutsch made his move to take closer order heading past the stands for the first time, with 11-2 shot Katate Dori seemingly enjoying a slight drop back in distance.

Deutsch decided to kick for home turning in and Katate Dori shot clear, leaving his rivals standing and quickly building up an unassailable lead. His rider was able to take two long looks over his shoulder after the last two fences and ease his mount down a few strides before the line to coast home by 15 lengths from the Nicky Henderson’s staying-on Hyland, who had come from a fair way back.

The winner’s stablemate Our Power – the winner in 2023 and runner-up 12 months ago – was a further 11 lengths back in third.

Katate Dori was an impressive victor
Katate Dori was an impressive victor (Nigel French/PA)

Thomas said: “It’s a great race to come and compete in with huge prize-money and I’m just really lucky I have the horses to do so, so huge credit to the boss (Dai Walters) for giving me the opportunity to train these horses.

“As a trainer there is nothing better seeing your horse enjoying himself like he was. If you had a horse at the top of the handicap carrying 12st doing that you would be concerned, but knowing he only had 10st 5lb on his back it was quite an enjoyable watch because in theory he should have always kept going.

“I could see Hyland getting a little bit closer and it was only after the last I was confident he had won. I was down near the line and Charlie gave me a good roar as he went past.

“I’m a terrible watcher and can’t stand in the stands. It’s not very sociable, but I like to have a quiet moment on my own watching. It’s nice to be down there close to the action.”

The win enhances Thomas’ excellent recent record in this prestigious contest and the man who steered Denman to Cheltenham Gold Cup success admits it is the major winners he craves most.

The Katate Dori team with their Kempton trophy
The Katate Dori team with their Kempton trophy (Nigel French/PA)

He added: “The Saturdays are when you want to win and I was similar to that towards my latter days as a jockey when I was riding. I didn’t get a real kick out of going to the smaller meetings and I know it’s not the attitude to have – and I’m not saying it is the same with training – but these big days are what it is all about.

“When you get to Sandown and the end-of-season meeting you get depressed as there is nothing to look forward to for a few months and I’ve been excited for this for weeks as this has been the plan for both Katate Dori and Our Power.

“You really look forward to these big races. There is a lot of pressure preparing these horses for these races, but we have an amazing team who do a brilliant job behind the scenes.

“Dylan Johnston does a lot of work with both these horses and had the choice today and chose Our Power, but he needs a huge amount of credit and I feel a bit for him. But it’s great to come and win on the big day and pick up some good prize-money.

“The winner is entered in the National Hunt Chase, the Ultima and the Kim Muir, so we’ll definitely take a look at one of those.”

Henderson, meanwhile, had a twinkle in his eye after his 11-4 favourite Hyland rallied to finish second having been out the back after the first circuit.

The Seven Barrows handler left Kempton dreaming of a first victory in the Randox Grand National having been thrilled with the eight-year-old’s Aintree prep.

Henderson said: “He’s run a fantastic race and it is all we could have asked for, as he absolutely hates that ground. It’s like asking me to eat kale. It was foul.

“He’s just not a bad ground horse and basically up to know he’s just been jumping out the gate and bowling along on his own. Today he had to get in a ruck and didn’t know where he was and couldn’t lay up with them early on.

“But I love the way he fought and on good ground and another mile, then it gets you dreaming. After a circuit I thought the dream was over and a circuit later it is very much still alive.”

Thomas readying Celtic Dino for Dovecote challenge at the weekend

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Sam Thomas believes Celtic Dino is set for a big run in the Ladbrokes Dovecote Novices’ Hurdle at Kempton on Saturday, should he get his preferred ground conditions.

The six-year-old began the campaign with a 14-length triumph at Wincanton in October, before stepping up in class to score at Ascot a month later. Those performances saw him line up in the Grade One Formby Novices’ Hurdle at a very foggy Aintree on Boxing Day, where he was fourth of seven runners over two miles and a furlong on soft ground.

Despite being 11 and a half lengths behind winner Potters Charm, it was a respectable performance from a horse who “literally can’t walk on anything on soft”, according to his handler.

With Kempton seemingly set for quicker ground this weekend for the two-mile Grade Two, Thomas is hopeful Celtic Dino can improve on his Merseyside display.

“I’ve never really experienced this with many horses before, but he literally can’t walk on anything on soft or heavy ground or anything like that,” he said.

“He’s exciting, he’s needs to be a Betfair Hurdle horse next year, but he’s very much ground-dependent and you can upgrade the performance you saw at Aintree if you get the right conditions.

“If it all goes well we are going to target the Scottish Champion Hurdle, that will be plan. He’s in the Supreme and if he was to absolutely bolt up then we have that option as well.

“Ground-wise, he is so good on the ground. I think that will be the perfect race for him up there in April.”

Thomas has two runners in the Ladbrokes Trophy Handicap Chase, including 2023 winner Our Power.

The 10-year-old came home in second place on two occasions at Cheltenham this winter and another strong showing in the race – he had also finished third in 2022 – should aid his plans for the Scottish Grand National at Ayr on April 12.

“It’s great to get him back this season and he’s had a couple of nice runs at Cheltenham,” Thomas said.

“He was mad fresh the first time and ran a super race to finish second and then we obviously went back there and Nicky Henderson’s horse (Chantry House) was on a going that day, unfortunately.

“The Scottish National will be the grand plan really. Handicap-wise we are pretty exposed – he’s 10, but he feels as well as he’s ever felt and he feels enthusiastic as he’s ever done, so I don’t see that (age) as a negative in any way at all.”

Katate Dori has been Thomas’ surprise package this season and recent form has earned him his place alongside Our Power.

Quickfire wide-margin victories at Exeter and Chepstow followed by a second at Wincanton inside 15 days has seen his mark shoot up from 110 to 125 and despite being a horse for the future, Thomas has rolled the dice on the seven-year-old, who could also be Cheltenham-bound.

“If you said he would be running in this at the start of the season I wouldn’t have believed you,” Thomas admitted. “He’s really taken to jumping fences. The way he’s shaping up, he’s going to be a good, fun staying chaser for next season and beyond.

“We’ve stuck him in the Ultima and stuck him in the National Hunt Chase so it will depend how we get on.

“He’s come on leaps and bounds for us so hopefully if he can improve again for another season of summer’s grass, he should be a good solid horse for us going forward.”

Thomas believes Steel can show winning Spirit

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Sam Thomas has put a line through Steel Ally’s last outing and feels he could run a “massive” race in the Star Sports National Spirit Hurdle at Fontwell on Sunday.

There are only six entries for the Grade Two, but they include Salver, Blueking d’Oroux and Nemean Lion.

Steel Ally had been building up a fine record until his most recent outing, chasing home stablemate Lump Sum in the Welsh Champion Hurdle and winning a decent pot at Haydock off top weight.

With his forward going style, Thomas thinks he could be difficult to peg back.

“It was a bit of disaster of a race really (at Ascot). Three of them went so hard up front and it just took him a little while to come back to himself after that,” Thomas said.

“He’s going to be wrong at the weights with a few of those horses, but it’s notoriously a race with not many runners.

“Going forward like he can do, he could run a massive race so that’s the plan.

“He’s in the Coral (Cup at Cheltenham), but he’s certainly one we won’t over race for the rest of the season because he’s going to be an unbelievable chaser next season.”

Revised mark key to Lump Sum plans

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Sam Thomas is delighted with Lump Sum after his gallant weight-carrying performance in the William Hill Hurdle at Newbury on Saturday.

The seven-year-old was saddled with top weight for the lucrative handicap contest, which is worth in excess of £150,000 and was won last season by Nicky Henderson’s Iberico Lord.

The same horse was present in the line up again and shared the same 11st 11lb burden as Lump Sum, who was ridden by 3lb claimer Dylan Johnston.

It was another Henderson horse, Joyeuse, who took the honours this time, but Lump Sum ran a mighty race behind her to finish second when giving over a stone in weight to the winner.

The handicapper will reassess the horse and his revised mark may determine where he goes next, but for now Thomas is happy to take his time and enjoy the game effort one of his best-loved horses produced in such a valuable race.

“We’re really, really proud of him,” he said.

“He’s just a great horse to have in the yard, he’s just a trier and a real yard favourite. He’s like a little pony to deal with in the yard.

“He’s so straightforward and easy but he’s got a real will to win and obviously a lot of ability as well. It looks like we bumped into a really nice horse on the day, unfortunately.

“I don’t know what we’re going to do with him now or what the handicapper will do, I’ll have to have a sit down and see where we go next. The Imperial Cup could be a suitable race but we’ll enjoy this one and let him come back to himself and make a plan from there.

“He wouldn’t have many more runs this season, he’s had a busy enough year and we’re really looking forward to going chasing with him next season.

“He’s not the biggest of horses and giving top weight in a handicap like that is never easy. I love him and I say it all the time, he’s just a little star and I’m very proud of him.”

Thomas double-handed in bid for more Welsh National glory

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Sam Thomas has two darts to throw as he looks to regain the Coral Welsh Grand National title at Chepstow.

Iwilldoit landed the race in 2021, coming home nine lengths to the good under Stan Sheppard having lined up against 19 rivals.

He did not return for the contest in 2022, but in 2023 finished third under Dylan Johnston, who at the time was claiming 7lb.

The 11-year-old’s hefty 11st 13lb allocation will this time be reduced by the same amount thanks to Callum Pritchard and Thomas said: “Iwilldoit has been in good form and knows what he’s doing!

“It’s just whether the legs can carry him round in that sort of race really, but he’s got a 7lb claimer on and seems in good form.”

Coral Welsh Grand National – Chepstow Racecourse
Iwilldoit winning the Welsh Grand National in 2021 (David Davies/PA)

Thomas’ other runner is Jubilee Express, a far younger horse at only seven years of age and partnered by Johnston, whose claim is now depleted to 3lb.

Last season was the gelding’s first over fences and he signed off on a high note when winning a staying event at Haydock on the final start of his campaign.

He returns to action at Chepstow, making his seasonal debut under 10st 4lb, with Thomas stating: “Jubilee Express has got a great profile for the race.

“I didn’t think he’d be getting in earlier on in the season off his mark and we unfortunately haven’t had the chance to give him a prep run, for one reason or another.

“We’ve managed to get as much work into him as we possibly can, so fingers crossed that lack of a run won’t be a factor.”

Nick Scholfield will take the ride on Jonjo and AJ O’Neill’s Monbeg Genius, a horse he rode to finish second at Haydock when he made his reappearance last month.

Doncaster Races – Wednesday 21st February
Jockey Nick Scholfield has high hopes for Monbeg Genius (Mike Egerton/PA).

The rider told Sky Sports Racing: “His well-being seems good. I’ve sat on him since Haydock.

“I was really pleased with that run because historically he always needs his first run of the season, so I thought that was a good run on testing ground at Haydock.

“He stuck on well that day, so it is all systems go for the Welsh National.

“We feel these kind of trips are what he wants. The way he races, he’s not over exuberant, he’s a good, economical jumper, I think Chepstow as a track will suit him, he goes on most types of ground, he’s very genuine, he tries hard – there’s a big one in him and we hope it’s the Welsh National.

“I think Jonjo has said he never quite had him right last season, but if he can reproduce that Ultima form behind Corach Rambler (third in March 2023), hopefully he won’t be too far away.

“I’d imagine this year it might not be as gruelling as normal, looking at the weather, and that might make it more competitive.”

Fontaine Collonges heads the weights for Venetia Williams after beating Monbeg Genius by 12 lengths at Haydock, Galia Des Liteaux represents Dan Skelton and there are three Irish raiders – Stuzzikini and Where It All Began for Gordon Elliott, plus Gavin Cromwell’s Evies Vladimir.

Lump Sum connections face conundrum over next move

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Sam Thomas is unsure what direction to take with Lump Sum after finishing best of the rest behind Sir Gino in the Fighting Fifth Hurdle at Newcastle.

Winner of the Welsh Champion Hurdle at Ffos Las on his seasonal reappearance, the six-year-old was thrown in at the deep end in Saturday’s Grade One feature at Gosforth Park, but justified the decision by picking up the silver medal behind Nicky Henderson’s impressive victor.

With the handicapper raising Lump Sum’s mark 1lb to 144, Thomas feels he is “between a rock and a hard place” as he considers his next move.

“He ran very well on Saturday and we obviously bumped into a very good horse,” said the trainer.

“The handicapper gave him a pound this morning. It’s nice to know we’ve got a nice horse, but we’re sort of in between a rock and a hard place, I suppose.

“We’re lucky to have him and hopefully he’ll keep progressing. He’s a good, fun horse.

“I’m not sure what we’ll do now, we’ll have a good chat with the boss (owner Dai Walters) and make a plan from there.”

Trainer Sam Thomas has his string in excellent form
Trainer Sam Thomas has his string in excellent form (Steven Paston/PA)

With Christmas fast approaching, the Thomas string could hardly be in better form, with four of his last eight runners tasting victory.

He added: “They’re healthy at the minute, touch wood, and long may it continue.

“It’s a long season, but if we can keep them in one piece, we’ll be delighted.”

Celtic Dino delivers in style at Ascot

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Sam Thomas is excited to see how far Celtic Dino can go after enhancing his reputation with an impressive display at Ascot on Friday.

The dual bumper scorer was a 14-length winner on his jumping debut at Wincanton last month, but had significantly more on his plate in the Troy Asset Management “Introductory” Hurdle.

Olly Murphy’s Wade Out, Nicky Henderson’s Joyeuse and Noel George and Amanda Zetterholm’s French raider Nothing To Sea all brought unbeaten records to the table in Berkshire, but Celtic Dino was ultimately much the best.

Celtic Dino in the Ascot winner's enclosure
Celtic Dino in the Ascot winner’s enclosure (Neil Morrice/PA)

A 4-6 favourite in the hands of Dylan Johnston, the five-year-old was sent straight to the lead and was travelling powerfully as he rounded the home turn in front.

He stamped his class on the race in the straight, pulling clear to seal a four-and-a-quarter-length verdict, with Wade Out best of the rest in second.

Thomas, who watched on from Chepstow, said: “It was a better race today and to see him go and win like that was great. It’s exciting to have a nice horse like that and we just need to look after him, take it one race at a time and not get too carried away.

“He’s a big baby, that’s the way I’d describe him. Even at home in everything he does he’s green, but it’s exciting and nice to have such a talented horse in the yard. I’m very lucky.”

Paddy Power cut Celtic Dino to 25-1 from 40-1 for the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival and Thomas is looking forward to raising his sights, but heavy ground will be avoided.

He added: “I don’t have a whole pile in mind, other than we had a good bit of success with the way Lump Sum went last season. He finished second in the Grade Two at Doncaster (Rossington Main Novices’ Hurdle) and then won the Dovecote at Kempton.

“We could follow a similar route with this horse because I think he wants a flat track and good ground, but we’ll see. He’s definitely not going to want the ground too soft.”

Bucksy Des Epeires in full flight at Ascot
Bucksy Des Epeires in full flight at Ascot (John Walton/PA)

Bucksy Des Epeires made a successful debut over fences in the CopyBet Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase, initiating a double on the card for trainer Venetia Williams and jockey Charlie Deutsch.

With likely favourite Gidleigh Park taken out on account of the ground, a field of four runners went to post, with Bucksy Des Epeires third best in the betting at 7-2.

Rare Edition gave a bold sight in front for much of the way, but Deutsch produced Bucksy Des Epeires with a well-timed challenge at the final fence and he kicked two and a half lengths clear on the run-in. Bad, the 11-8 favourite, finished third.

Williams said: “We were a bit concerned about the ground and had a quick looks after the first. I thought he was a bit novicey early but then warmed to it. I always hoped he would be a better chaser.”

The same trainer-jockey combination also struck gold in the CopyBet Handicap Chase, with Gemirande (100-30) producing a superb round of jumping from the front on his way to an empathic success.

“It’s great to have had our 50th Ascot winner and also our 51st,” Williams added.

“Anyone loves to have winners at Ascot, it’s a fantastic racecourse. There’s always decent prize money and it’s such a fair course.

“Charlie has given two lovely rides and although this horse enjoys himself out in front, he doesn’t have to lead.”

First Confession in action at Ascot
First Confession in action at Ascot (John Walton/PA)

The Joe Tizzard-trained First Confession justified odds-on favouritism in the Gambling Week “National Hunt” Maiden Hurdle.

A £140,000 purchase after winning an Irish point-to-point 12 months ago, the five-year-old finished third behind the exciting Potters Charm on his hurdling debut at Cheltenham last month, form which was well advertised after the runner-up Minella Sixo went one better at Thurles on Thursday.

First Confession was a 10-11 shot to beat two rivals at the second attempt and pulled 12 lengths clear in the hands of Brendan Powell.

“He hadn’t run for the best part of a year (before Cheltenham), but the form of his first run had been franked,” said Tizzard.

“Brendan thought he would have been better off with a lead, but we knew he would stay well. He has a lovely way about him, and as it gets softer he will get better.”

Chris and Freddie Gordon teamed up to land the LK Bennett Autumn Collection Handicap Hurdle with stable stalwart Aucunrisque (9-1), who was registering his first victory since landing the Betfair Hurdle at Newbury in February of last year.

“He’s a small horse and it’s difficult for him as he’s lost his speed, but he stays and stays,” said the winning rider.

“He’d run really well the last twice, he was carrying a bit less weight today and it’s worked out really well. Our horses are starting to come now and hopefully there will be more winners ahead.”

Kim Bailey’s Law Of Supply obliged as the 5-2 favourite for the CopyBet UK Handicap Chase under Jonathan Burke, who swiftly doubled up in the concluding Not Forgotten Open NH Flat Race aboard Anthony Honeyball’s point-to-point recruit Kdeux Saint Fray (7-2).

Thomas prepared to take patient approach with Al Dancer

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Sam Thomas is in no rush to send Al Dancer back into battle after his imperious success in the Badger Beer at Wincanton.

The evergreen 11-year-old produced a phenomenal round of jumping and galloping in the hands of conditional jockey Callum Pritchard to both turn the traditionally competitive early-season staying chase into a procession and continue his handler’s fine start to the current campaign.

It was the second notable success Thomas has saddled for owner Dai Walters in recent weeks following the victory of progressive hurdler Lump Sum in the Welsh Champion Hurdle at the owners’ home track of Ffos Las last month.

However, it was a special moment for the man who once steered Denman to Cheltenham Gold Cup glory as Al Dancer added another feather to the trainer’s cap at Wincanton.

“We’re absolutely thrilled and it was an amazing performance and we’re just unbelievably lucky to have such an incredible horse really, we’re very lucky to have these top horses,” said Thomas.

“We haven’t got a huge team but they are the races we all want to win and it’s great for the boss Mr Walters and just keeps the whole thing ticking along.

“We obviously want to win with every horse we can, but the big ones take the pressure off a bit. We’ve got a lovely team of horses to run and we’re just hoping for a bit of help with the weather.”

Al Dancer after his Wincanton win
Al Dancer after his Wincanton win (Steven Paston/PA)

Al Dancer was registering the 10th victory of his long career, but his trainer is prepared to box clever and bide his time before seeking an 11th – and despite his advancing years, the gallant grey has now reached a career-high rating.

Attempting to go one better than last season in Kempton’s Coral Trophy early in the new year is one option available as Thomas eyes further riches in the staying chase division, but for now connections will simply savour their Wincanton success.

“As expected, he’s a little bit tired but he’s such a warrior and he’s come back to himself quite quickly now,” continued Thomas.

“The handicapper could have been harsher but he’s still up to a career high mark on 159 now, so we might have to just play it by ear and try to be a bit clever with where we go with him really.

Al Dancer has been a star over the years for Sam Thomas
Al Dancer has been a star over the years for Sam Thomas (Steven Paston/PA)

“The Coral Trophy was a near-miss at Kempton last year and he ran a blinder there, so that would be an obvious one and it’s the right way round for him. But we will take one step at a time and I wouldn’t be banking on too many runs this season, it’s just a case of finding the best opportunity we can.

“He’s a veteran and doesn’t qualify for those races because he’s rated too high, but he could be one for any of those nice long-distance staying handicaps and it’s nice to see that he stays the three miles well, as that was a question mark before.”

He went on: “We’ll be dictated by him and it was amazing how it worked out with the Badger Beer, as I was scratching my head where to run him and we just had to roll the dice – if we didn’t run him, there wasn’t really anything for him until December.

“It’s amazing and having done that, it kind of takes the pressure off and we’re not in such a hurry to find that next target really.”

Top-weight Lump Sum to swerve Greatwood Hurdle engagement

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Lump Sum will not take his place in the Unibet Greatwood Handicap Hurdle, with connections preferring to wait for other options with the Welsh Champion Hurdle winner.

Trained by Sam Thomas, the Dai Thomas-owned six-year-old was a Grade Two victor as a novice last season, landing the Dovecote Novices’ Hurdle at Kempton, and finished his campaign by competing at the highest level at Aintree.

He got his new season up and running when justifying favouritism at Ffos Las and was set to shoulder top-weight in the feature of Sunday’s action at Cheltenham.

Lump Sum was a 10-1 chance with the sponsors, but Thomas has elected to skip a trip to Prestbury Park and will now look at other options for his progressive performer, one of which could be a clash with Constitution Hill in Newcastle’s Fighting Fifth Hurdle.

Thomas said: “He doesn’t run and we’re just going to wait for some more suitable ground for him, I think. Off top-weight on Sunday it would be a huge ask for him. I did put him in the Fighting Fifth just to keep options open really.

“He’s a cracking horse and it was job done at the start of the season to get the ball rolling at Ffos Las, but we just want to make sure we look after him for the rest of the season now.”

Pritchard’s front-running masterclass secures Beer money

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Callum Pritchard had a day to remember when partnering Al Dancer to a remarkable triumph in the 63rd Badger Beer Handicap Chase at Wincanton.

The 7lb claimer set off at a scorching pace on the Sam Thomas-trained 25-1 shot and soon had the rest of the field well strung out.

While the chasing pack made notable mistakes, Al Dancer jumped superbly and kept up his relentless gallop, ultimately pulling clear again up the home straight to beat 11-4 favourite Lord Accord by 10 lengths.

The 11-year-old was obliging on his seasonal reappearance for the sixth time and took his overall win tally into double figures.

Pritchard said: “To ride that fellow in a big race like that is unreal. That is the best moment of my life. It means a lot.

“I feel sorry for Dylan Johnston, who usually rides all of Sam’s, but he couldn’t ride him today due to other circumstances (a ban).

“It is a big shout out to him, as he does all the hard work at home, so it is nice he gets a mention.

“It was all happening too easy, but he is electric. He was always nicely in his stride and he never felt like he was flat to the boards and he never felt like I was going too slow.

“He jumped and got into a lovely rhythm, and it all fell into place. I couldn’t believe how far we went on at the end, as I was waiting for them to come and swallow me up.

“I only rode my first winner as a conditional about 10 days ago, then one on Wednesday for Rebecca Curtis, so hopefully it will take off now.”

Callum Pritchard (left) with trainer Sam Thomas at Wincanton
Callum Pritchard (left) with trainer Sam Thomas at Wincanton (Steven Paston/PA)

Pritchard, who is based with Ben Pauling, enjoyed plenty of success in the point-to-point field but explained how he rather fell into racing.

He added: “I had nothing to do with horses as a kid but I was with the hunt service for a few years.

“My girlfriend Hannah had a pointer with nobody to ride it – and me, being me, got my licence. I thought I would give it a crack and the love grew from then.

“I was absolutely not a natural from the start. I could stay on, but I had a lot of learning to do.

“The same with point-to-pointing, I had a lot of good opportunities from people and things just fell into place and it took off from there – and hopefully with this big winner, I can do the same thing under rules.”

Al Dancer clears a fence at Wincanton on his way to a front-running victory
Al Dancer clears a fence at Wincanton on his way to a front-running victory (Steven Paston/PA)

Thomas admitted he was “a bit overwhelmed” after watching his popular veteran blaze a winning trail.

The trainer said: “He is a hero. He had a really bad cut on his off hind at Sandown (on his final run last season). He must have done it early on in the race, as he was never quite at the races after that. He took a long time to get that heeled, hence why he is running now and not a bit sooner in the season.

“What can you say. I’m a bit overwhelmed with him to be honest. He won the Grand Sefton two seasons ago. He is just a mega horse and every trainer needs youngsters coming through, but you need these older boys to keep flying the flag.

“That is the sixth season he has won first time out and that speaks volumes. You are a passenger on this horse and it sounds silly, but the more the horse feels in charge, the better performance you are going to get. What can I say, he is a legend of a horse.

“All credit to the team at home, and well done to Mr (Dai) Walters for allowing me to have these lovely horses.

“It was only after the last that I thought we had won. I was tempted to jump over the rail with a circuit to go to tell him to take a pull. When he is well, and he is happy and fresh, that is what he is capable of.”

Thomas sets sights on Betfair bid with Celtic Dino

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Sam Thomas has set Celtic Dino an ambitious target after the five-year-old made a big impression on his successful hurdling debut at Wincanton.

The Dai Walters-owned gelding was sent off as the 2-5 favourite for the Fitzdares Season Opener At Wincanton Maiden Hurdle after winning two of his three bumpers last term.

As a half-brother to Saint Segal, runner-up in the 2021 Finale Juvenile Hurdle at Chepstow, the son of Doctor Dino is bred for the jumping game and upheld family honour in impressive fashion.

Having been a touch green early on, Celtic Dino warmed to the task and superb leaps at the final two obstacles helped him to pull 14 lengths clear of second favourite Ma Shantou.

More success looks assured in the novice department, but Thomas is already eyeing up a possible tilt at a valuable handicap, with the Betfair Hurdle at Newbury in February on his radar.

The trainer told Racing TV: “He got a bit hot before racing and he’s still got lots to learn, but as much schooling as he’s done at home, it’s nice to see them a bit green in a race like that because you know they are going to come on for it.

“The Betfair would be the obvious target. He’d need a run every month to qualify, as he’d need four runs for that, but that would be the sort of thing we’d be looking at, ideally.

“I think he’s a top-of-the-ground horse and he’s just a dude isn’t he. He pointed his toe there and he jumped great, I was just pleased to see him have a good look. As a jockey as well, you know they are going to come forward from that.

“We’re very lucky, we’ve got lots of nice horses and Mr Walters has been an amazing supporter of mine, so I’m just pleased to be able to do his horses justice.”

Thomas had two winners for Walters over the weekend, with Palacio springing a 20-1 surprise at Chepstow before Lump Sum justified strong support when beating stablemate Steel Ally in the Welsh Champion Hurdle at Ffos Las.

Both winners were partnered by conditional jockey Dylan Johnston, who has also been successful for Neil Mulholland of late and looks set to be a rising star of the riding ranks.

After his latest triumph on Celtic Dino, Thomas added: “Dylan was really great, he’s still learning about all the horses on the track and he gave him a fantastic ride.

“It’s a lot of pressure on a young lad, he had a great weekend there for us at the Welsh Champion Hurdle, he’s a top jockey and hopefully he’ll just keep going the same way now.”

Lump Sum secures Dovecote riches

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Lump Sum confirmed Doncaster form with Fiercely Proud as Sam Thomas’ bright prospect impressed in winning the Coral Dovecote Novices’ Hurdle at Kempton.

In dominating the Grade Two, the duo paid a handsome compliment to Nicky Henderson’s Jeriko Du Reponet, who had them both behind when booking his Cheltenham ticket on Town Moor.

Lump Sum was sent off the 13-8 favourite and Sam Twiston-Davies dropped his mount out in the rear early on as Fiercely Proud was close to the pace, racing keenly for the in-form Ben Jones.

When he joined Panjari on the turn for home, Fiercely Proud looked to have things under control but Twiston-Davies had bided his time on the favourite and ran out a comfortable four-and-a-half-length winner.

Thomas said: “I’m delighted. We’re not having as many runners as we may be have done in the last season or two and as a trainer I don’t have as much confidence as I should do going into races like that – I was nervous beforehand.

“I was delighted to see the horse transfer that Doncaster form, but he’s a smashing horse and learning all the time.

Lump Sum does not hold any entries in the Grade One novice events at the Cheltenham Festival, but does have options in the County Hurdle and Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle at Prestbury Park.

Aintree is also an option later in the spring, but further down the line a trip to Ffos Las appears in order to try to fulfil owner Dai Walters’ long-held ambition of winning the Welsh Champion Hurdle.

“We left him out of the novices (at Cheltenham) because of how competitive it is,” continued Thomas.

“He’s in the handicaps and he could still be well handicapped, but that is a decision for Mr Walters and myself to have a chat about in the next week or two.

“Absolutely Aintree could be an option, but there is never any pressure from Mr Walters with any of the young horses and we’ve got a young horse to look forward to for many seasons to come.

“He’s a smashing hurdler for now and we’ll enjoy today before we think about the future. He’s up there with Good Risk At All who is a real mudlark and I just think he could keep going the way he is. He’s such a nice, straightforward one to train at home and is definitely one of the best ones yet. He’s done everything right.

“Our dream would be to try to win the Welsh Champion Hurdle and I know Mr Walters is desperate to win that, so that will be our first target next season.”

Tom Lacey’s Kempton specialist Blow Your Wad denied Paul Nicholls a fourth successive win in the Coral Pendil Novices’ Chase.

Blow Your Wad (left) won at Kempton once more
Blow Your Wad (left) won at Kempton once more (Steven Paston/PA)

Having already won over hurdles at the Sunbury venue, Blow Your Wad then won a competitive event at the King George meeting over fences.

He disappointed behind Nicholls’ Ginny’s Destiny at Cheltenham last time out but fitted with first-time cheekpieces and back on a flat track, he beat Tahmuras by three-quarters of a length, justifying 13-8 favouritism for Stan Sheppard.

“We have run him in Grade Ones before over hurdles but he was a five-year-old taking on six-year-olds, which was probably a bit harsh on him to be fair,” said Sheppard.

“We’ve always liked him and I think he probably has to stay right-handed now because he’s won three times round here. I would say here and Sandown would be where he goes I imagine.

“He’s probably still 10lb off the top races, but with another summer he might improve again because he’s only six and there’s still plenty of room for improvement.

Earlier on the card, Gary Moore and Caoilin Quinn teamed up to go back-to-back in the Coral Racing Club Handicap Hurdle with 9-2 shot Mark Of Gold.

Golden Son wins the Play Coral Racing-Super-Series For Free Handicap Chase
Golden Son wins the Play Coral Racing-Super-Series For Free Handicap Chase (Steven Paston/PA)

Paul Nicholls and Harry Cobden added to their victory in the Adonis with Kalif Du Berlais by teaming up to claim the Play Coral Racing-Super-Series For Free Handicap Chase with Golden Son (10-1), who ran on strongly to land the spoils after the last.

“We half-fancied him a little bit today and you can put a line through his last two runs,” said the champion trainer.

“Cheekpieces just focussed his mind a fraction and he stays well and it was a good ride for a big prize.

“I thought that was the right race for him today rather than the Pendil and it’s good to get him back.

“There’s quite a valuable race back here in three weeks time and he’ll probably come back for that. He’ll improve and keep improving and that was very good.”

There was a shock in the concluding Coral We’re Here For It Open National Hunt Flat Race where Keiran Burke’s Thistle Be The One (40-1) made all for a cosy one-and-three-quarter-length triumph in the hands of Gavin Sheehan.

Thomas preparing twin assault on Coral Gold Cup

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Sam Thomas bids to become just the third man to have both ridden and trained the winner of the Coral Gold Cup when he saddles Stolen Silver and Our Power in the Newbury feature on Saturday.

The late Andy Turnell and Paul Nicholls are the only others to have achieved such a feat, and Thomas is halfway to completing the accomplishment, having steered the Nicholls-trained Denman to the first of two famous victories in the race his during his Cheltenham Gold Cup-winning season.

Denman shouldered top-weight when delivering his astonishing display in 2007 – and while Stolen Silver has not got as much of a burden to carry, the eight-year-old has only Ahoy Senor above him in the handicap following a victorious comeback at Chepstow.

That was the first time Stolen Silver had competed over three miles and Thomas is hoping there could be more to come over staying distances.

Denman and Sam Thomas on their way to victory in 2007
Denman and Sam Thomas on their way to victory in 2007 (Alan Crowhurst/PA)

“The style he won in at Chepstow was really pleasing, he jumped brilliantly, relaxed, and saw the trip out well,” said Thomas.

“I think he hopefully still has more to offer over that distance, which is exciting.

“Obviously, you don’t quite know sometimes until you run these horses over the extreme trips. However, I do feel he is a much more relaxed horse this season at home, and I think that’s a sign of him telling me he wants to step up in trip.

“I have no reason to believe he won’t get three-mile-two, it’s a flat track, they go a good gallop there and you need to stay very well. If he’s ever going to stay that trip, then it will be at a track like Newbury.”

Joining Stolen Silver in the same ownership of Walters Plant Hire and Potter Group is Our Power, who won back-to-back staying handicaps at Ascot and Kempton last season before finishing the campaign well held in the Grand National.

He returned at Newbury for a sighter of the course over hurdles, and Thomas hopes that early outing over the smaller obstacles will put his charge spot-on for a bold bid.

He continued: “Our Power had a good spin over hurdles to give him a good blow out. We would have loved to have run over fences, but we didn’t want to risk him winning again and ruining his chances of having a nice weight in the Coral Gold Cup. Hopefully he is still off a workable mark.

“He’s a very laid-back character and doesn’t give much away at home, but he’s come out of the race nicely and it gave us a bit of time to kick on and give him some more work. Hopefully it has blown away the cobwebs.”