Mark Cranham (racingpost.com/photos)
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By Jack Haynes
There can’t be many horses in training that haven’t raced since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic, but two-time Year 2 winner Angels Breath is one of them, with the talented gray ready to return from a mammoth 1,121-day layoff at Kempton on Saturday.
The nine-year-old, owned by Dai Walters and Ronnie Bartlett, was the latest in action in the Noel Novices’ Chase victory for Nicky Henderson at Ascot in December 2019.
Angels Breath clinched the Kennel Gate on the same track as a novice hurdler the season before, finishing seventh in the Supreme and third in the Mersey that spring, and are 2-2 on the fences with their Noel success after a eight-length loss to Premier Stream in a rookie pursuit at Ascot.
A late respawn is scheduled for the Coral Silviniaco Conti Chase (2.05 Kempton, Saturday) in his first start for Sam Thomas this weekend, with Angels Breath priced 6-1 with multiple companies but a remarkable 16-1 with bet365.
Thomas made early closing entries for the Ryanair Chase Gold Cup and Boodles Cheltenham for Angels Breath last week but is just hoping for an encouraging display from the stable debutant.
He said: “Angels Breath has been out for a very long time so we hope he comes back safe and sound first and foremost. We wouldn’t enter him in this kind of race if he hadn’t shown well at home but he hasn’t raced for more than three years.
Alan Crowhurst (Getty Images)
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Angels Breath is one of two horses returning from long breaks for Thomas on Saturday along with the 2021 Welsh national winner I will do it contesting the Wigley Group Classic Chase at Warwick.
The ten-year-old from Diamond Racing hasn’t raced since his high-profile triumph at Chepstow, but he leads the betting with an overall favorite of 7-1 seconds for the 3m5f event.
Thomas, who leads Betfair entry Hurdle Deere Mark on Kempton’s undercard, said: “Unfortunately we missed the Welsh National with Iwilldoit this season but he looks in good form and will love the cut in the ground. We’re hoping for a great run, but he’s at a career high now.
“We always thought he was a good hunter, so his Welsh National win was a great day – hopefully there will be a bit more in the tank with him as he gets a bit older.
“We didn’t take him or Angels Breath for any gallops on the racetrack or anything, we did all their work from home and we’re lucky to have a good facility.”
Wigley Group Classic Chase (3.00 Warwick, Saturday)
Power of rice: 6 Guetapan Collonges, Threeunderthrufive, 7 Iwilldoit, Lord Du Mesnil, Slipway, 8 Grumpy Charley, Nestor Park, Notachance, Punitive, 10 Fakiera, Mr Incredible, 11 Tile Tapper, 12 Movethechains, 14 bar
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FIRST PUBLICATION AT 09:00, JANUARY 12, 2023
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