Celtic Dino delivers in style at Ascot

Sam Thomas is excited to see how far Celtic Dino can go after enhancing his reputation with an impressive display at Ascot on Friday.

The dual bumper scorer was a 14-length winner on his jumping debut at Wincanton last month, but had significantly more on his plate in the Troy Asset Management “Introductory” Hurdle.

Olly Murphy’s Wade Out, Nicky Henderson’s Joyeuse and Noel George and Amanda Zetterholm’s French raider Nothing To Sea all brought unbeaten records to the table in Berkshire, but Celtic Dino was ultimately much the best.

A 4-6 favourite in the hands of Dylan Johnston, the five-year-old was sent straight to the lead and was travelling powerfully as he rounded the home turn in front.

He stamped his class on the race in the straight, pulling clear to seal a four-and-a-quarter-length verdict, with Wade Out best of the rest in second.

Thomas, who watched on from Chepstow, said: “It was a better race today and to see him go and win like that was great. It’s exciting to have a nice horse like that and we just need to look after him, take it one race at a time and not get too carried away.

“He’s a big baby, that’s the way I’d describe him. Even at home in everything he does he’s green, but it’s exciting and nice to have such a talented horse in the yard. I’m very lucky.”

Paddy Power cut Celtic Dino to 25-1 from 40-1 for the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival and Thomas is looking forward to raising his sights, but heavy ground will be avoided.

He added: “I don’t have a whole pile in mind, other than we had a good bit of success with the way Lump Sum went last season. He finished second in the Grade Two at Doncaster (Rossington Main Novices’ Hurdle) and then won the Dovecote at Kempton.

“We could follow a similar route with this horse because I think he wants a flat track and good ground, but we’ll see. He’s definitely not going to want the ground too soft.”