Racing:Sam Thomas is looking forward to getting the leg up on Tricky Trickster in the totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup. The jockey has already tasted Gold Cup glory having partnered Denman to success in 2008 but he will be ridden by champion jockey Tony McCoy this time around.
Tricky Trickster is seemingly Paul Nicholls’ third string behind dual winner Kauto Star and Denman but Thomas is confident he can give a good account, and he did take full advantage of the latter fluffing his lines in the Aon.
"I'm very much looking forward to it and I think he's a cracking ride," the jockey told At The Races. "Obviously whatever you run in the race it's going to be very difficult to beat the favourite (Kauto Star) as he looks to be as good as ever at the moment.
“But I’m absolutely thrilled to be riding Tricky Trickster as he jumped very well last time and really picked up in the straight.
“He’s got no miles on the clock so there is no reason why he can’t keep on improving and he’s proved he stays round Cheltenham which is a big plus.
“It’s a very open race if you take the favourite out so I’d definitely be very hopeful we can finish in the first four.”
Thomas believes another of his mounts, Tell Massini, could be a Gold Cup contender of the future ahead of his tilt at the Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle.
The six-year-old is unbeaten in three starts over timber this season including two impressive displays in Graded company at Prestbury Park.
Thomas feels Tell Massini has plenty of speed to go with his seemingly abundant stamina and has nominated him as his best chance of a winner at the Festival.
“I really like this horse and while when we first had him he didn’t show anything out of the ordinary, he really performs on the track,” said Thomas. “He jumps very well and stays very well and potentially he could be a Gold Cup horse one day.
“He is an out-and-out stayer, but I think he could run well over two miles this horse as he’s got real class.”
Thomas has a strong book of rides for the showpiece meeting including Tartak in the Grand Annual and Olofi in one of the juvenile races.
“I think he’s going for the Grand Annual and he should run a decent race," he said. “He was unlucky at Doncaster last time as he got stuck in behind a wall of horses and he is proven round Cheltenham, so I think there is still plenty more to come from this chap.
“Olofi is in the Fred Winter and the Triumph Hurdle. I’m not sure which way he’s going to go, but he’s a smasher and has done nothing wrong so far.
“He’s improving and learning from every race he’s had and his form is pretty solid, so he’s entitled to go there with a decent chance.”