Thomas Poised For Kauto Role

Sam Thomas is in line for one of the biggest rides of his life aboard Kauto Star in the Betfair Chase at Haydock on Saturday.

Although champion trainer Paul Nicholls has yet to make a definite decision about who will partner the Gold Cup winner on Merseyside, Thomas ? who is the stable's second jockey ? is more than likely to be in the plate.

The spare ride became available after the Clive Smith-owned seven-year-old's regular partner Ruby Walsh dislocated his shoulder in a fall at Cheltenham on Saturday, putting him on the sidelines for several weeks.

Nicholls himself has endured a torrid weekend with Walsh's fall and the tragic deaths of Granit Jack and Willyanwoody.

He said: 'Sam will probably ride him but I haven't had a chance to really think about it yet.

'With the weekend I have had I have not had a chance to breathe and will look into jockeys during the week.

'There are three big meetings to consider next weekend, but Sam has schooled the horse at home and Clive is happy for him to ride so it is certainly a possibility.'

Walsh has partnered Kauto Star on all but one of his starts for Nicholls, with Mick Fitzgerald aboard on the only other occasion in the 2005 Tingle Creek Trophy.

(C) PA Sport