Festival target already decided for smart Cheltenham winner Before Midnight

The Grand Annual is the the key target for Saturday's impressive Cheltenham winner Before Midnight, who provided Sam Thomas with a memorable victory in front of crowds at Prestbury Park.

Thomas, who famously partnered Denman to glory in the 2008 Cheltenham Gold Cup, tasted success at the track last season behind closed doors but experienced the full Cheltenham experience for the first time as a trainer when Before Midnight beat last year's Grand Annual winner Sky Pirate by six lengths in Saturday's two mile handicap chase.

Watch Before Midnight's dominant win at Cheltenham on Saturday

Thomas is now eyeing a return to Cheltenham for the festival in March for Before Midnight, although he is not ruling out testing his star at a higher level before then.

"I'm not a great watcher of my horses and I was pacing up and down throughout the race, but it was extremely satisfying," said Thomas on Sunday.

"It was very special for myself and all of the team as having been lucky enough to ride winners there, I appreciate how difficult that can be to do as a trainer or jockey.

"We'll be a bit ambitious and there's no reason why we can't think about Graded company – he's earned the right to be considered for them, especially if the handicapper raises him by six to eight pounds."

He added: "Saturday was our Gold Cup though and was the main target I had all season for him, so I was delighted it came off. We'll plot our way through the coming months with all roads hopefully leading back to Cheltenham in March."

Sam Thomas: high hopes for the seasonCredit: Alan Crowhurst (Getty Images)

Thomas enjoyed a career-best season with 26 winners last term and is hoping to better that record with this this season's team, which includes dual Listed bumper winner Good Risk At All.

"We've got a really good team this year," he said. "We've got a bunch of very exciting novice hurdlers and I'm hoping to get a few of them out at the next meeting at Chepstow on November 3.

"They're absolute smashers and we've got lots of quality, as well as some nice bumper horses too. Good Risk At All is great and will go to Chepstow. He's summered nicely but we'll need to keep a lid on him to stay in one piece. Hopefully we can plot our way to Cheltenham with him too."

Read more from Cheltenham's October meeting:

From cursing to celebrating: Sam Twiston-Davies endures mixed day at Cheltenham

'It's brilliant' says Gordon Elliott after winners and a Cheltenham welcome (Members' Club)

'This one is something special' - Third Time Lucki ends owner's 30-year wait

Racing Post Live is your ultimate racing watchalong every Saturday and during major festivals. Our experts offer uninterrupted tips, analysis and reactions to the ITV action. Subscribe to the Racing Post YouTube channel here and never miss a minute