Henderson warns exciting Angels Breath has been overhyped based on Ascot win

MansionBet Sidney Banks Memorial Novices' Hurdle (Listed) | 4yo+ | 2m3f | RTV

Sky Bet Supreme Novices' Hurdle favourite Angels Breath puts his unbeaten record on the line at Huntingdon on Thursday, with Nicky Henderson warning he has been "overhyped" – although he remains excited by him.

The former easy Irish point-to-point winner, who is a general 5-1 chance for the opening race of next month's Cheltenham Festival, made an impressive debut over hurdles at Ascot in December when Henderson pitched him straight into Grade 2 company. He then bypassed a good opportunity at Haydock last month owing to a concern about the wellbeing of some members of the trainer's team.

He is reportedly back in great order for what should be a more meaningful trial than the Ascot race, in which half of the obstacles were omitted, but he is stepping up in trip and has a 5lb penalty.

Henderson said: "He shows you all of the right things at home but didn't get much of a test at Ascot as they jumped only four hurdles, and two of the big guns were non-runners. It didn't tell us much and so I think he got rather overhyped.

"We're going up to two and a half miles here, although I'm hoping to come back to two at Cheltenham.

"The trip isn't going to be a problem as he's won a point-to-point but has a lot of pace. Huntingdon should be a nice track for him and the ground will be fine. He has a penalty, but that's my fault for starting him off in a Grade 2."

Warren Greatrex has won two of the last three runnings of the Sidney Banks with Keeper Hill and Ma Du Fou, and he saddles another unbeaten runner in Emitom.

The winner of two bumpers and two hurdle contests, Emitom has festival entries in the Ballymore and Albert Bartlett and while Greatrex acknowledges he might be taking on a very talented rival, he heads to Huntingdon hopeful.

He said: "Emitom has done everything asked of him and looks to have a lot of potential. This is a big step up but we need to know where we are.

"Nicky's horse looked very good, but I've never been scared of having a go and I'll know that if he beats us we've been beaten by a very highly regarded horse.

"He's got two entries at Cheltenham. I'd say the Ballymore is the more favoured of them but we'll know more after this."

Emitom: unbeaten in four starts for trainer Warren GreatrexCredit: Alan Crowhurst (Getty Images)

The Dan Skelton-trained Anytime Will Do has not raced since October but has won all three of his races under rules and might also have won his only point-to-point but for falling at the second-last. He is entered in the Supreme and Ballymore.

Harry Skelton, who has partnered Anytime Will Do to all of his wins, is looking forward to resuming the partnership and said: "He got held up a little bit after his wins earlier in the season but all seems well now and we're really happy with him at home. This will tell us a lot more."

The field is completed by the Mick Channon-trained winning hurdler Hold The Note and bumper winners I K Brunel and Strong Glance, who also all hold Cheltenham entries.

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