Angels Breath offered chance to stake Cheltenham Festival claim

Angels Breath is handed the opportunity to justify his position as favourite for the Sky Bet Supreme Novices’ Hurdle when he lines up in the Sydney Banks Novices’ Hurdle at Huntington.

The Nicky Henderson-trained grey is 5-1 market leader for the opening race of the Cheltenham Festival next month but he still has plenty to prove.

Nico De Boinville’s mount was a useful-looking winner of the Grade Two Kennel Gate Novices’ Hurdle at Ascot in December but an issue with the hurdles meant only four obstacles were jumped. That has left the form looking flimsy.

Angels Breath will prepare for Cheltenham Festival with the Sydney Banks Novices’ Hurdle

Thursday afternoon’s contest around Huntingdon’s tight circuit should serve up a better test for Angels Breath, especially as he must give weight to his rivals including unbeaten Emitom.

The race could also show if the two-mile supreme is the right option for Angels Breath. His part owner Dai Walters also has Al Dancer, favourite for Saturday’s Betfair Hurdle at Newbury, as a Supreme Novices’ Hurdle candidate.

Henderson said: ‘He needs the experience and I am sure it will be a good test.’

Trainer Nicky Henderson hopes the horse can gain experience in the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle

Leading Australian trainer Darren Weir has been banned for four years after devices known as ‘jiggers’, used to give horses electric shocks, were found at his stable last week.

The scandal has rocked Australian racing. Weir is a Melbourne Cup winner who trained over 600 horses.

Darren Weir received a four-year ban after devices known as ‘jiggers’ were found at his stable

Trainer Gordon Elliott had a treble at Ayr on Wednesday but was also fined £3,000 after his runner Braid Blue, fifth to Galvin, was judged to have breached non-trier rules.

Jockey Henry Brooke was suspended for 14 days and the horse banned from running for 40 days. 

Gordon Elliott won three races at Ayr on Wednesday but was also fined £3,000