Paddy Power Gold Cup preview: Sam Thomas has three options

This is the time of year when National Hunt trainers start dreaming and the Paddy Power Gold Cup at Cheltenham on Saturday, November 18 is considered by many Jumping fans to be the start of the season proper.

Al Dancer won going away when justifying joint favouritism in a handicap chase at Chepstow earlier this month, Angels Breath was runner-up in a similar event at the same track in April, while Stolen Silver also prevailed at Chepstow in a handicap chase on October 14.

The in-form trainer, based in Glamorganshire, told @pphorseracing after the unveiling of the entries: “The plan for Al Dancer is that he is obviously in the Old Roan Chase at Aintree and I’m not sure from there. 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.

“As far as Angels Breath goes, I’ve been dying to run 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.

“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. If they got heavy ground at Cheltenham or it went absolutely bottomless, it would be an option.”

Paddy Power: 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

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