Grey Diamond out to deliver more handicap success for Sam Thomas and Dai Walters

Friday: 1.45 Cheltenham
Mucking Brilliant Paddy Power Handicap Chase | 2m | 4yo+ | ITV4/RTV

Punters are well advised to keep Sam Thomas-trained runners on their side for any major handicap over the jumps and the stats reinforce that assertion.

The trainer has won with seven of his 19 runners in handicaps worth £40,000 or more since October 2021 for an impressive 37 per cent strike-rate and a profit of £13.45 to £1 stakes. There were also two seconds and two thirds in that sample.

This lucrative two-mile prize, which opens ITV's coverage of the November meeting at Cheltenham, gives Grey Diamond the opportunity to add to the stable's fortunes in such races.

It is difficult to describe Grey Diamond as obviously well handicapped on past form and he has never raced at Cheltenham, but he can draw upon an easy Chepstow victory. That track bears similarities with Cheltenham, while Thomas is capable of readying one to peak first time out.

You would expect to see a 145-rated mare campaigned in Listed or Group races confined to her own sex, but The Glancing Queen appears well suited to helter-skelter handicap chases over two miles around here.

At one point Alan King was deliberating whether to run The Glancing Queen in the Grade 2 Mares' Chase at the Cheltenham Festival and she undoubtedly has the class to defy top weight here. Her record fresh is a real positive.

However, the runner who stands out like a sore thumb at the early prices is Captain Tom Cat for Richard Newland.

This regular front-runner will be pressed for the lead by Monsieur Lecoq and Gold Des Bois, but he likes Cheltenham and was in the process of finishing a good second to Third Time Lucki in the Grade 2 novice chase at this meeting last season before falling at the last.

Ignore Captain Tom Cat's seventh in the Old Roan at Aintree last time as he is stretched by 2m4f and will be seen to better effect over this distance off a 5lb lower mark.
Race analysis by Robbie Wilders

Diamond out to sparkle for Thomas

Sam Twiston-Davies hopes he will be able to continue trainer Sam Thomas's fine run of form and give him and owner Dai Walters another poignant winner with Grey Diamond.

Thomas and Walters had a big-race winner when Al Dancer won the Grand Sefton at Aintree last weekend, which came after the pair were involved in a helicopter crash that left the owner in intensive care and the trainer with minor injuries.

Twiston-Davies will resume his partnership with Grey Diamond, who has not been seen since disappointing at Wincanton in January under Jack Tudor and makes his first start for 307 days.

Grey Diamond: could deliver another big handicap win for Sam Thomas and Dai WaltersCredit: Alan Crowhurst

They bid to enhance Thomas's 38 per cent strike-rate before they team up in Saturday's Paddy Power Gold Cup with leading fancy Stolen Silver.

"I schooled Grey Diamond last week which went really well and everything seems to be in fine nick with him. He should be able to run a good, solid race," the jockey said.

"Sammy and Dai have a few runners set for Cheltenham at the weekend and it'd be brilliant to get them a winner at the meeting. It's great to be riding for a yard like Sam's too and his form has been great. I'm really looking forward to it."

What they say

Alan King, trainer of The Glancing Queen
She showed this was the right trip for her when she won a mares' race on the New course in the spring. Although she had a little hold up two or three weeks ago that cost her a few days, she's just about ready for her reappearance.

Joe Tizzard, trainer of Amarillo Sky
This is his first run of the season and it seems like a nice starting point. He's a proper two-miler and this looks like a good opportunity to get him going as there aren't too many runners and he ran well at the track in the Grand Annual at the festival last season.

Richard Hobson, trainer of Fugitif
He might just be caught out for speed at this trip but he should be doing his best work late and any further rain would aid his cause. He's a very good horse and it will be exciting to see how far he can go when he steps up in distance.

Jane Williams, trainer of Monsieur Lecoq
He's come out of his fall last time at Ascot fine and has been working well. We hope he can get round and have a positive run this time.
Reporting by Matt Rennie

Friday's previews:

2.20 Cheltenham: 'He's got a great chance' - who can join a classy novice chase roll of honour?

2.55 Cheltenham: 'Class horse' Ballyandy is a rock-solid favourite - but is he beatable?

3.30 Cheltenham: Can Willie Mullins weave some more Cheltenham magic with Hubrisko?

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