Sam Thomas says he's the man with qualities to deliver on Kauto Star

It's an opportunity he is unwilling to let slip threw his fingers and he admits that the next month, before Walsh returns at Christmas, could see the defining moments in his life.

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On Saturday he rides Kauto Star, the best horse in training, in the £200,000 Betfair Chase at Haydock, seven days later he partners favourite Denman in the Hennessy and the mount on Twist Magic is waiting for him the following weekend in the Tingle Creek Chase.

A daunting prospect? Not for a man who has been riding since he was four and who rose quickly through the amateur and conditional jockey ranks. Thomas, 23, who has been part of

the team at Paul Nicholls' stable for over a year, said: 'Saturday will be the biggest race I've ridden in when on a horse with the best chance.

'This is a dream come true. I'm just delighted Paul is sticking by me and giving me the chance to prove myself and I'm going to grab it with both hands.

'You always think about riding a horse like Kauto Star but, like winning the Lottery, you never think it is going to happen.'

With over 250 winners, the son of two Abergavenny head teachers is no novice but he is a relative stranger to the big races and this has prompted questions about how he will cope with the pressure of riding Kauto Star.

But he said: 'Everybody's asking if I'm experienced enough but how am I going to get that experience unless I'm given the chance.

'I'm just going to go out there, be focused and if the horses are good enough they'll win.

'I've schooled Kauto Star and ridden him in gallops so I'm fairly familiar with the horse. He seems to make a mistake in some races and not others.

'If he makes a mistake at the last, so be it, the main thing is to get him into a rhythm in the race and enjoying it.'

Thomas rode his 19th winner of the season on Elsie's Pride on Daily Mail day at Folkestone yesterday, when the feature £25,000 chase was won by 22-1 shot Cossack Dancer, who jumped with gusto on the rain-softened ground.

The race was run in memory of Lady Harmsworth Blunt, late grandmother of Lord Rothermere, chairman of the Daily Mail and General Trust.