Sam Thomas, a young trainer, is finally healing from the mental scars of a terrifying helicopter crash he survived last year. The crash shocked the sport and left Dai Walters, Thomas' main backer and a millionaire owner, fighting for his life. Walters, who broke his neck, back, shoulder, and leg, has since made a miraculous recovery. Thomas, on the other hand, escaped without a scratch physically but took several months to overcome the mental trauma. The survivors are awaiting the report from the Air Accidents Investigation Branch, which will shed more light on the accident.

A Miraculous Escape

The helicopter crash, which occurred shortly after take-off in rural north Wales, left Thomas and Walters lucky to be alive. The Agusta 109 chopper, which was almost brand new at the time, clipped trees and plummeted to the ground. Fortunately, Thomas and the other passengers emerged from the wreckage unscathed physically, but the incident left lasting mental scars.

Inspirational Recovery

While Thomas dealt with the aftermath of the crash, Walters faced an intense recovery process. The 78-year-old, who started life as a laborer and greengrocer before building a multi-million pound plant hire business, broke multiple bones in the crash. However, his determination and bravery have led to a miraculous recovery. Thomas admires Walters' resilience and is motivated to succeed for his passionate racing backer.

A Challenging Year

In addition to recovering from the helicopter crash, Thomas faced challenges in his racing yard. Last winter, the Thomas yard, located at the bottom of Walters' garden outside Cardiff, was hit by a bug that affected the horses' performance. Despite the setback, Thomas persevered and has recently enjoyed success, giving Walters some nice winners. The trainer's ability to navigate difficult times and bounce back is a testament to his resilience and dedication.

A Canny 'Target Trainer'

Thomas has gained a reputation as a canny 'target trainer' in recent years. He consistently produces strong contenders for big handicaps, showcasing the quality of the horses in his yard. With several horses capable of competing on the big stage, Thomas is focused on achieving success in prestigious races.

Paddy Power Gold Cup

One of the early-season highlights for Thomas is the Paddy Power Gold Cup, a prestigious handicap race at Cheltenham. Thomas has a leading contender in Angel's Breath, a horse with undeniable talent. Despite facing setbacks in his career, Angel's Breath has shown potential and Thomas believes this could be his chance to win a big race. Thomas is hopeful that the horse's recent form and ability will carry him to victory in this highly competitive race.

Good Risk At All

Thomas also has high hopes for Good Risk At All, a top novice chase prospect. The seven-year-old impressed on his chasing debut at Carlisle and Thomas believes he will be a better chaser than hurdler. Stepping up in grade at Cheltenham, Good Risk At All is expected to excel over the longer distance of three miles. Thomas is eager to secure a win at this meeting, especially for Walters, considering the uncertainty surrounding his recovery at this time last year.