Thomas readying Celtic Dino for Dovecote challenge at the weekend

Sam Thomas believes Celtic Dino is set for a big run in the Ladbrokes Dovecote Novices’ Hurdle at Kempton on Saturday, should he get his preferred ground conditions.

The six-year-old began the campaign with a 14-length triumph at Wincanton in October, before stepping up in class to score at Ascot a month later. Those performances saw him line up in the Grade One Formby Novices’ Hurdle at a very foggy Aintree on Boxing Day, where he was fourth of seven runners over two miles and a furlong on soft ground.

Despite being 11 and a half lengths behind winner Potters Charm, it was a respectable performance from a horse who “literally can’t walk on anything on soft”, according to his handler.

With Kempton seemingly set for quicker ground this weekend for the two-mile Grade Two, Thomas is hopeful Celtic Dino can improve on his Merseyside display.

“I’ve never really experienced this with many horses before, but he literally can’t walk on anything on soft or heavy ground or anything like that,” he said.

“He’s exciting, he’s needs to be a Betfair Hurdle horse next year, but he’s very much ground-dependent and you can upgrade the performance you saw at Aintree if you get the right conditions.

“If it all goes well we are going to target the Scottish Champion Hurdle, that will be plan. He’s in the Supreme and if he was to absolutely bolt up then we have that option as well.

“Ground-wise, he is so good on the ground. I think that will be the perfect race for him up there in April.”

Thomas has two runners in the Ladbrokes Trophy Handicap Chase, including 2023 winner Our Power.

The 10-year-old came home in second place on two occasions at Cheltenham this winter and another strong showing in the race – he had also finished third in 2022 – should aid his plans for the Scottish Grand National at Ayr on April 12.

“It’s great to get him back this season and he’s had a couple of nice runs at Cheltenham,” Thomas said.

“He was mad fresh the first time and ran a super race to finish second and then we obviously went back there and Nicky Henderson’s horse (Chantry House) was on a going that day, unfortunately.

“The Scottish National will be the grand plan really. Handicap-wise we are pretty exposed – he’s 10, but he feels as well as he’s ever felt and he feels enthusiastic as he’s ever done, so I don’t see that (age) as a negative in any way at all.”

Katate Dori has been Thomas’ surprise package this season and recent form has earned him his place alongside Our Power.

Quickfire wide-margin victories at Exeter and Chepstow followed by a second at Wincanton inside 15 days has seen his mark shoot up from 110 to 125 and despite being a horse for the future, Thomas has rolled the dice on the seven-year-old, who could also be Cheltenham-bound.

“If you said he would be running in this at the start of the season I wouldn’t have believed you,” Thomas admitted. “He’s really taken to jumping fences. The way he’s shaping up, he’s going to be a good, fun staying chaser for next season and beyond.

“We’ve stuck him in the Ultima and stuck him in the National Hunt Chase so it will depend how we get on.

“He’s come on leaps and bounds for us so hopefully if he can improve again for another season of summer’s grass, he should be a good solid horse for us going forward.”