Angels Breath thrown in at the deep end for hurdling debut in Supreme trial

1.55 Ascot
Sky Bet Supreme Trial Novices' Hurdle | Grade 2 | 1m7½f | 4yo+ | RTV

KEY QUESTIONS

Will inexperience catch Angels unawares?

Nicky Henderson makes the bold move of pitching in the unexposed Angels Breath against some streetwise opposition in a top-notch edition of the Sky Bet-backed Kennel Gate Novices' Hurdle.

The Irish point-to-point winner is highly rated by his trainer, despite never having run under rules.

The four-year-old ran out an easy 12-length winner of his point at Moira in April, following which he was bought by Dai Walters at Goffs sales for €85,000.

Angels Breath, who is 20-1 with the race sponsor for the Supreme Novices' Hurdle at Cheltenham in March, has been pleasing at home but lack of opportunities have prompted Henderson to introduce him at a higher level than originally hoped.

Henderson, who is out to land this race for the third time in five years following L'Ami Serge (2014) and Claimantakinforgan 12 months ago, said: "It's a funny place to start off Angels Breath but there are very few opportunities unless you want your horses to take each other on.

"It's a tough ask first time out but he's a very nice horse who has all the attributes of a high-class hurdler. He won his point-to-point on soft to heavy, so the ground won't be an issue, and I'm looking forward to getting him started."

Will Darby form prove safer option?

If it is proven form rather than potential that you want, it may pay to side with Thomas Darby, who ran the promising Didtheyleaveuoutto to a head over course and distance last time.

Olly Murphy's hope earned a BHA rating of 138 for that performance, which followed his debut win over hurdles at Cheltenham in October when he eclipsed subsequent two-time winner Elixir De Nutz.

Murphy said: "Thomas Darby is in good form and deserves to take his chance at Grade 2 level. He's definitely going the right way and I wouldn't swap him in the race. My only concern would be if it went very soft as he's a good-actioned horse, but it shouldn't be that bad."

Thomas Darby was caught by fast finisher Didtheyleaveuoutto at Ascot last timeCredit: Henry Browne

Can Nicely do it again?

Four of the nine-strong field were winners last time, including the Jamie Snowden-trained Thistle Do Nicely, who scored by ten lengths at Wetherby last month.

The four-year-old was supplementing his debut win over hurdles at Wincanton and is clearly on the up, although his trainer is not underestimating the task at hand.

He said: "Thistle Do Nicely won well last time but so did a few others in the line-up and it looks a deep, competitive race.

"Including his bumper he's won three of his four career starts and has the highest rating in the race. It's different ground to what he's run on before but he should handle it."

Of the others in the contest, Seddon is out to bounce back from a disappointing effort at Cheltenham last time when he was sent off even-money favourite but could muster only third to Elixir De Nutz.

Trainer Tom George said: "They missed out some of the hurdles that day, which didn't suit him at all, and he could never get into the race. He wouldn't want it too soft but should get away with it."

The Glancing Queen takes on the boys

3.40 Ascot
St Andrews Holdings Championship Standard Open National Hunt Flat Race | Listed | 1m7½f | 4-6yo | RTV

The finale at Ascot has been won by decent sorts over the years, including Shutthefrontdoor (2011), Western Ryder (2016) and Didtheyleaveuoutto a year ago, and The Glancing Queen looks set to go off favourite after her surprise win at this level at Cheltenham last month.

Sent off at 16-1 when overcoming Mega Yeats and the Willie Mullins-trained hotpot Royal Illusion that day, the Alan King-trained filly is now quoted at the same price for the Weatherbys Champion Bumper at Cheltenham in March.

The Glancing Queen (right) wins at Cheltenham from Mega Yeats (left) and Royal IllusionCredit: Edward Whitaker

King said: "The Glancing Queen made such a thrilling, and unexpected, start for us when winning at this level at Cheltenham last month and we're excited about her chances.

"That was against fillies and mares, but I’ve been very happy with her since and I hope she’ll have learned from that debut, so she takes on geldings here. She’s a lovely mare and will stay down the bumper route this season."

Among the opposition in what looks the best bumper of the season so far is the Jamie Snowden-trained Chapmanshype, who changed hands only last month for €72,000 after winning his bumper at Punchestown in October.

Snowden said: "Chapmanshype is a nice type but is one of seven runners in the race who won last time, so it's competitive enough. He's a nice horse for the future and has plenty of speed."

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