Thomas was schooling a horse at the Nicholls yard

Jockey Sam Thomas will miss next week's Cheltenham Festival after a fall on the gallops at Paul Nicholls' yard.

The 25-year-old was airlifted to the Royal United Hospital in Bath after suffering cracked vertebrae.

Thomas rode Denman to Gold Cup success in 2008 but lost the ride this season after becoming stable jockey at Tom George's yard.

George said: "I've spoken to his father who is with him and he will not be riding at Cheltenham next week."

Thomas had been due to partner Tricky Trickster in the Gold Cup on 19 March, but Nicholls will now likely call on Barry Geraghty, who won the race in 2005 on Kicking King, to take the mount.

George continued: "He has suffered a crack to a vertebrae high up in his neck, but it is not as bad as first feared and he is able to walk, talk and move his hands and feet.

"It's obviously disappointing that he will miss Cheltenham, but the news is largely positive and his injuries will heal with time."

A Bath Royal United Hospital spokesperson added: "He's stable and he's awaiting further tests."

Among Thomas's other scheduled Cheltenham mounts were to be the George-trained favourite Tell Massini in the Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle on Friday.

Tricky Trickster's odds for the Gold Cup had dropped from about 33-1 to 16s in recent weeks and he is one of the favourites for the Grand National at Aintree on 10 April.

Thomas was not certain to ride him in the National as Ruby Walsh, number one jockey to Nicholls, will have the choice of his mounts.

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