Sam Thomas: my leading lights and newcomers to note

Vincenzo is on course to reappear in the Paddy Power Gold Cup on Saturday week.

The seven-year-old, a general 16-1 chance for the Cheltenham feature, only ran four times over fences last season but quickly developed into a smart performer, winning at Windsor and Sandown, plus also being a runner-up at Cheltenham and Newbury.

He signed off with a near-miss in the Greatwood Gold Cup, when pegged back in dramatic fashion by Booster Bob after looking sure to win.

His trainer, Sam Thomas, gave a positive update on the Dai Walters-owned gelding when giving a guide to his leading horses to Racing TV.

Thomas told Andrew Blair White: “The trip in the Paddy Power is obviously perfect for him, although I'm sure he will stay a bit further. He only ran four times over fences last year but was running at some of the biggest racetracks there are, fences wise.

“I'm excited. He's a horse who is hard to gauge at home as he’s quite a laid-back character and his work is only OK.

“He took us by surprise by the way he took to fences last season and sometimes they're the best horses – those that save themselves for the racetracks.”

Thomas added: “I'd like to think he's still on an OK mark, but it’s always a very competitive race. Please God, he does enjoy it, and then we can go back to Cheltenham for those two and a half miles races for the rest of the season.”

Our Power will run in the Grand Sefton Chase at Aintree on Saturday, having signed off last season with a fine third in the Scottish Grand National, while 143-rated hurdler Steel Ally is pencilled in to make his chasing debut at Sandown on Sunday.

Thomas begins by talking about Celtic Dino, winner of this season’s Welsh Champion Hurdle, and then shares his thoughts  on Steel Ally, Our Power, I Will Do It, Katate Dori, Vincenzo, Alfies Princess, Ed Keeper, Shomen Uchi and Doctor Blue.

And make sure you watch until the end when he divulges the names of two horses to look out for in bumpers, a sphere where he has had eight winners from 51 runners in the past five seasons.