Angels Breath ready to take flight in Dovecote en route for Supreme test

Sky Bet Dovecote Novices' Hurdle | G2 |2m, 4yo+ | ITV/RTV

At the beginning of the week Nicky Henderson was examining the programme book in all corners of the country in the hope of finding a novice hurdle with enough runners to give Angels Breath a taste of the hurly-burly he can expect to encounter in the Sky Bet Supreme Novices' Hurdle a fortnight on Tuesday.

In the end the simplest answer has been to head for the classiest race, and is one which has held up well with nine runners set to face off.

Angels Breath has been a leading fancy for the Supreme since pulling clear impressively on his debut at Ascot in December on what was his first start over hurdles, albeit one which only required the former winning pointer to leave the ground on only four occasions.

"You're going to get a fast and furious race in the Supreme and all Angels Breath has done so far is go round in a six-runner race at Ascot and jump four hurdles," said Henderson.

"He is being aimed at the Supreme and I'm pretty sure he's a two-mile horse, although he could go either way [for the Ballymore Novices' Hurdle] at Cheltenham."

Henderson also saddles Daphne Du Clos, fifth on her hurdling debut at Huntingdon in January which was also her first appearance in almost two years.

"We've always held her in high regard and we're hoping for a good step up from her first run back," he said.

The Seven Barrows team won't have it all their own way, with second-season novice Scarlet Dragon leading the opposition, who was second in this race last year and more than nine lengths better than Daphne Du Clos at Huntingdon.

Daphne Du Clos returned from an absence of nearly two years last month at HuntingdonCredit: Edward Whitaker

What the others say

Olly Murphy, trainer of IK Brunel
He’s a lovely horse that definitely wants two and a half miles. If he can win a graded race, great, but it won’t be the end of the world if he's still a novice next season, hence why he's running in a nice race. He’s very much a horse for next year but I think a lot of him and I’m sure he’ll run well. I just think two miles around Kempton will be plenty sharp enough. I don’t particularly want to take him to Cheltenham or Aintree so this looked an obvious race.

Alan King, trainer of Scarlet Dragon
He has a lot of ability and it was very pleasing to see him get his head in front at Huntingdon last time. He finished second in this race on his jumping debut last year, and though he's obviously more experienced now he could do with another run over hurdles if he's to go for the Supreme.

Scarlet Dragon has high class form both on the Flat and over hurdlesCredit: Mark Cranham

Harry Derham, assistant to Paul Nicholls, trainer of Southfield Stone
It looks a good race but it's difficult to know where to go with him as he has two penalties. He's rated to run in these sort of races so should have a good each-way chance.

Dan Skelton, trainer of Tokay Dokey
I think a lot of him but this is as hard a novice hurdle as you’ll get outside Cheltenham. We’re happy with him and he's got to step up in grade to take on better opposition. He’s got an entry at Cheltenham and we need to run well here if we want to do it. We really like him as a chaser for next season, which is another thing in his long-term armoury. I’m looking forward to getting him back on the track.

Get exclusive insight from the track and live tipping with Raceday Live – our up-to-the-minute service on racingpost.com and the Racing Post mobile app