Brennan to ride George horses

Tom George has confirmed Ardrahan, Co. Galway-native, Paddy Brennan will be used whenever he is available after Sam Thomas suffered a cracked vertebra in a fall on the gallops at Paul Nicholls' yard on Thursday morning.

Among George's team for next week's Cheltenham Festival is Tell Massini, ante-post favourite for Friday's Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle.

Thomas is set for a lengthy spell on the sidelines and George admits it is a big blow for the yard.

"Obviously Sam is very disappointed but when the news came through on Thursday morning it sounded a great deal worse than what it actually is," George told At The Races.

"We've got to look on the positive side, that six or eight weeks down the line he'll be back riding again and have full use of his body, whereas at one stage it looked pretty bleak.

"It's a real disappointment for all of us as everything was just starting to get ready for next week and Sam was really happy with the way everything was looking.

"We have made alternative plans and we're lucky that Paddy Brennan comes to us every week to school and ride work and what he can ride he will ride for the foreseeable future.

"I think all our Cheltenham horses go there with a reasonable chance and Tell Massini is probably the flag-bearer.

"I couldn't be happier with the way his preparation has gone and he must go there with an outstanding chance.

"We're really looking forward to Olofi running in the Triumph Hurdle as well, he's a horse who is improving hand over fist.

"I'm very happy with Tartak and we probably didn't ride him positively enough at Doncaster last time.

"He hasn't had the rub of the green this season but he should have a good chance (Grand Annual)."