Angels Breath ruled out for at least a year after sustaining serious leg injury

Angels Breath, a leading contender for the Racing Post Arkle and JLT Novices’ Chase at the Cheltenham Festival, will be sidelined for at least a year after sustaining a serious leg injury when winning at Ascot on Friday.

Trained by Nicky Henderson for Dai Walters and Ronnie Bartlett, Angels Breath had surgery on his front right leg after damaging a tendon when beating his only rival by 23 lengths in a Grade 2 novice chase, his second win from as many starts over fences.

Angels Breath did not return to the winner’s enclosure after the race and underwent surgery on Friday night after the extent of the injury became clear.

Henderson, writing in his Unibet blog, said: “I'm afraid to say it's not good news at all and unfortunately he severed a degree of his superficial flexor tendon and he will not race for at least a year. Everything went well, however, and they were all very pleased with his wellbeing afterwards and this morning.

“This is a very serious injury and he’s not out of the woods, in fact a few years ago it may have been a completely different outcome but thanks to modern technology and our brilliant team of vets he's in very safe hands and we're able to save him.

“There's a positive prognosis that Angels Breath will be able to race again and he was able to walk out well this morning.”

Buveur D'Air: another star on the sidelines for Nicky HendersonCredit: Grossick Photography

Angels Breath joins another Henderson star, dual Champion Hurdle winner Buveur D’Air, on the sidelines and the trainer admitted it was a frustrating situation for the yard.

He said: "He’s actually now living next door to Buveur D’Air so they're both telling each other of their frustrations at being forced to sit out the rest of the season!

“It goes without saying that it's extremely frustrating and a major disappointment as good horses like this don’t just come around corners and they're both freak injuries which are quite hard to take for everyone.”

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