Sam Thomas celebrates his 2008 Cheltenham Gold Cup win Denham

Sam Thomas is set to be reunited with Denman when he bids to win the Hennessy Gold Cup for a historic third time.

The Welsh jockey was on board the 10-year-old when he took the 2007 Newbury highlight and also tasted Cheltenham Gold Cup glory together in 2008.

"I shall be very surprised if Sam doesn't ride Denman in the Hennessy and I hope he wants to ride him," said Denman's owner Paul Barber.

"We haven't actually offered Sam the ride, but he knows all about it."

Top-weight Denman produced a memorable run to win his second Hennessy last year when he beat stablemate What a Friend, part-owned by Sir Alex Ferguson, to the become the first horse since Arkle in to win a second Hennessy.

Ruby Walsh was on board Denman at last year's Newbury showpiece but champion jockey Tony McCoy took to the saddle for the remainder of the campaign.

Walsh will miss the 27 November meeting after he suffered a double fracture to his leg in a fall at Down Royal on Saturday

The two-time Cheltenham Gold Cup winner has undergone a successful operation on his leg fracture and the Irishman will miss the Hennessy ride.

And as Grand National winner and 15-time champion jockey McCoy expected to be retained by his boss and leading owner JP McManus, connections will once again turn to Thomas.

"The horse is in very good form," said Barber.

"It was extremely good of Tony to ride him for us last year having got special permission from Mr McManus.

"But this year he'll probably have one of his to ride in the Hennessy."

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