1.00 Ascot: the one race you do not want to miss on Friday

1.00 Ascot
Sky Sports Racing Novices' Chase | 2m3f | 4yo+ | Sky

It is take two for Angels Breath and Birchdale, who were booked in for a novice chase at Cheltenham last week only for it to be rained off.

Nicky Henderson asked the BHA if the race could be saved but the pair – smart 146-rated novice hurdlers last term – clash in Ascot's four-runner 2m3f novice chase, which the five-time champion trainer landed with Wenyerreadyfreddie 12 months ago.

"We've got a lot of novice chasers and that's why we're running two in the same race," he said.

"There was that race at Cheltenham last week, but they've got to come in here, so there you go.

"I do like the two-mile-three chase start at Ascot because it's down at Swinley Bottom. It's a lovely start as you've those smaller fences coming up the hill, then two in the home straight before the downhill ones, which can be tricky. It's good they can get into their rhythm before that."

He added: "There is little, if anything, between them and they're two nice horses, point winners who were among our leading novice hurdlers last season."

Watch First Flow make his chasing debut at Uttoxeter

First Flow's novice hurdle campaign was also productive and he finished second on his debut over fences at Uttoxeter this month.

"He ran very well then, but jumped right-handed," trainer Kim Bailey said. "He did it over hurdles, but not as badly, so that's why we're coming here. He has a natural way of going right-handed.

"It's a hot race, but it was either here, Sandown or waiting a few weeks for Hereford, when it might not be on."

Nick Gifford, a winner on this card with Didtheyleaveuoutto last year, fields The Mighty Don, third in two of his chase appearances.

"He's absolutely A1 – he's bouncing," said the trainer. "I think he's getting there over fences and there was improvement from his first run to his second run this season. He's not ready for a handicap yet and I knew this race would cut up, while it's a lovely start down at Swinley Bottom.

The Mighty Don: making his fourth start over fencesCredit: Grossick Racing

"He schools well at home, but there's no substitute for racing and wherever you go for a novice chase now it'll be hot. He's never looked like falling, but it's maybe just taking him a while to get the hang of it.

"He's got fitness on his side and has been to Exeter twice, where the fences are big, if not trappy. This is another step on the ladder and if he won it would be great, but in this class he could finish fourth and still have run well."

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