Thomas Relishing Kauto Role

Sam Thomas is expecting a few butterflies before he gets the leg up on jumping superstar Kauto Star in public for the first time at Haydock on Saturday.

He does, however, intend to make the most of the opportunity handed to him by trainer Paul Nicholls in replacing the injured Ruby Walsh in the Betfair Chase.

Thomas, number two to Walsh in the pecking order at Manor Farm Stables, has ridden work on last year's Betfair Million winner but never in a race.

'I will be a bit nervous on Saturday, but it is a very exciting opportunity,' he said.

'I have ridden the horse before at home and it is very nice of Paul to give me this chance and I am going to take it with both hands.'

Kauto Star warmed up for a repeat victory in this race when failing by just a length and a half to give Monet's Garden 14lb at Aintree last month.

While Thomas is all geared up to partner the country's top chaser, connections of Exotic Dancer, who was third behind Kauto Star last time out as well as being runner-up to him in both the Gold Cup and King George VI Chase, are in the dark as to who will be in the saddle at the weekend.

It is possible that regular rider Tony McCoy could be retained by JP McManus for Wichita Lineman in the Coral Ascot Hurdle, although he is also entered at Haydock.

'I'd be quite happy to ride Wichita Lineman if he runs at Ascot,' McCoy told At The Races.

'It'll depend on the ground and if it keeps raining at Ascot and the ground is on the slow side it would be a possibility that he could run.'

As for Exotic Dancer's chances, McCoy added: 'He didn't jump that well (at Aintree) but we'd be hoping it was just a similar sort of performance that he put up this time last year when he went to Carlisle.

'We've got a very good horse to beat in Kauto Star. As I've said all along, he is a super horse but every horse is beatable.'

Barry Simpson, racing manager to Exotic Dancer's owner Sir Robert Ogden, does not expect a jockey decision to be made until Friday morning.

(C) PA Sport