Man Mighty under Thomas

Sam Thomas was delighted with Mighty Man when they were reunited ahead of the Ladbrokes World Hurdle at Cheltenham on Thursday week.

Last year's Gold Cup-winning rider schooled the Henry Daly-trained gelding on Tuesday morning, the first time he has sat on him since November 2005.

Thomas has been snapped up by Daly as Richard Johnson, the only other jockey to have ridden Mighty Man in a race, will be aboard Fair Along for Philip Hobbs at Cheltenham.

For Mighty Man, it will be a remarkable return to action in a race in which he had twice been placed before suffering a career-threatening tendon injury in April 2007.

"I schooled him this morning, he jumped nicely and I couldn't be happier," said Thomas.

"We went up three or four times nice and steady. It was nice to sit on him before the big race.

"I rode him some time ago but I'm just delighted to get the ride - it's just the job."