Stolen Silver winning at Cheltenham last year© Photo Healy Racing
Sam Thomas has his team in good form at present as evidenced by three winners from as many runners at the recent two-day Chepstow meeting and both Al Dancer and Stolen Silver are among his entries for the Paddy Power Gold Cup at Cheltenham next month.
Al Dancer won in good style over an extended 2m3f at Chepstow while Stolen Silver was also prominent throughout when scoring in decisive fashion over an extra half-mile on the same card.
Also successful over the National fences in the Grand Sefton last season, Al Dancer has a number of options including the Old Roan at Aintree this weekend and Thomas said: “He seems back to his very best so warranted an entry in the Paddy Power. It’s his optimum distance and to be honest, he’s not a definite but he’s in the form of his life.
“He might take his chance in the Old Roan and we’ll see this week and when he’s fresh and well, we might as well strike while the iron is hot.”
Stolen Silver unseated his rider three out when 4/1 favourite in the ‘Paddy Power’ last year but would need testing ground conditions to take his chance next month.
“Stolen Silver won very well over three miles at Chepstow and while his main target is the Coral Gold Cup, I’ve stuck him in this race as well,” said the Glamorganshire trainer.
“If they got heavy ground at Cheltenham or it went absolutely bottomless, it would be an option.”
Angels Breath, who gained all three career wins at Ascot for Nicky Henderson before reappearing for Thomas after a lengthy lay-off last term, is also entered in the Paddy Power Gold Cup.
“I’ve been dying to run him over fences, but I’ve just entered him for Cheltenham this Friday over hurdles.
“Providing that went well, his options are open and fingers crossed if he won first time out, the Paddy Power would be the obvious place to go.”
There are five Irish-trained horses among the 34 entries with Gavin Cromwell’s Final Orders, who was soundly beaten behind Al Dancer at Chepstow, currently shortest in the sponsor’s betting list at 14/1.
Willie Mullins’ Authorized Art brings useful form this season having been placed in both the Galway Plate and the Kerry National on his latest two starts, while course winner Chemical Energy represents Gordon Elliott.
Tom Gibney’s Mr Saxobeat and Mick Mulvany’s Barnacullia complete the Irish quintet of entries.
Paddy Power bet: 6 Stage Star, 8 My Drogo, 10 Datsalrightgino, Fugitif, Unexpected Party, 12 The Real Whacker, 14 Final Orders, Galia Des Liteaux, Hitman, Il Ridoto, Notlongtillmay, 16 Authorized Art, Richmond Lake, Shakem UpArry, 20 Al Dancer, Black Gerry, Chemical Energy, Complete Unknown, Do Your Job, Easy As That, Stolen Silver, Whistleinthedark, 25 Angels Breath, Frero Banbou, Heltenham, Minella Drama, 33 Harpers Brook, Lord Baddesley, Mr Saxobeat, Sebastapol, Torn And Frayed, Zhiguli, 50 Barnacullia.
