Racing:Sam Thomas is itching to get back aboard Denman in Saturday's Hennessy Gold Cup at Newbury. The jockey partnered Paul Nicholls' star to victory in the race in the 2007 renewal of the race and that season's totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup, and replaces the sidelined Ruby Walsh on Saturday.
"Obviously I'm over the moon, delighted to be back on a horse who has done so much for my career - He's in good form and hopefully he's come back to something like his best," said Thomas.
Thomas is in a good place to judge that, having regularly ridden out at Ditcheat in recent months.
"I go down there quite often and sat on him last Monday when we had a scoot round Wincanton racecourse which was fantastic. He felt like he was in good form and I couldn't be happier with him. I'm very much looking forward to the race now."
Thomas admits he gels with Denman, and denies that he can be a tricky ride.
"We do get on well - I find it very easy to ride a horse like him. He's uncomplicated, you don't need to make up his mind for him, he does that for himself, and at times you're like a passenger. I leave it up to him and that's the way he likes it," he added.
In terms of tactics for Saturday Thomas says it's simple - there aren't any.
"I'll just get him jumped off and see what happens and we'll make no plans, you can't be tied down in a race like this. We'll get him out of the gate and Denman will tell me what to do," Thomas added.
The jockey is aware of the size of the task his partner faces in bidding to become the first horse to win the Newbury showpiece three times - but feels it's far from impossible.
"He seems back to himself, a happier horse and it's going to be a very exciting race. There's no pressure. we know what we have to do, our cards are on the table and we're the ones to be shot at.
"Some of the young pretenders have the pressure on them, they have it to prove. Denman is up in the weights but he doesn't know that, he doesn't know what he's rated, he's been top-weight throughout his career and it's not a problem.
"It's going to be tough, we're giving weight to everything but he loves it round Newbury," Thomas said.
So what are the dangers on Saturday?
"Lots of the younger horses," Thomas grinned. "Weird Al is an obvious one with the form boosted by Little Josh winning the Paddy Power.
"Burton Port is getting stacks of weight and they're all going to be there snapping at our heels down the straight. It's a very open race but Denman's been there and done it before so I'm hopeful of a very big run."