Henderson remains upbeat over Angels Breath despite Kempton setback

Trainer Nicky Henderson insists Angels Breath will still head to the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle despite defeat in the Dovecote Novices’ Hurdle at Kempton.

The three-quarter-length defeat to Southfield Stone prompted Supreme sponsors Sky Bet to ease Angels Breath, who started the day 5-1 second favourite, down to 10-1 for the Cheltenham Festival‘s opening race.

Henderson has the option of upping Angels Breath in distance at the Festival and running in the 2m 5f Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle.

Trainer Nicky Henderson insists Angels Breath will still head to the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle

That would be an easier decision to make given Angels Breath’s owner Dai Walters also owns Nigel Twiston-Davies-trained Supreme Novices’ Hurdle favourite Al Dancer.

However Henderson chose to look at the positives of the result: the fact his runner had given 5lb to the winner, lacked peak fitness and picked up vital experience.

Going into the race the Nico de Boinville-ridden Angels Breath had run only once over hurdles, winning at Ascot in December when issues with the jumps meant he had had to face just four hurdles.

Henderson said: ‘Nobody is despondent. I still think two miles is the right place for him. He was giving them all 5lb, the front two came clear and he was running on. There are a lot of positives even though I am disappointed he has been beaten.’

Yet Paul Nicholls, Southfield Stone’s trainer, doesn’t even think the gelding is in the same league as his main Supreme Novices’ Hurdle hope Grand Sancy.

Nicholls said: ‘I wouldn’t entertain running Southfield Stone in the Supreme. He is probably not quite good enough for that but he’d be good enough for a handicap.

‘Grand Sancy is a proper horse and it was a good performance last week [when he won the Kingwell Hurdle at Wincanton].

‘I’m quite excited about him. He is in the same mould as Noland and Al Ferof, who we have won the Supreme with before.’

Henderson’s Fusil Raffles won the Adonis Hurdle, a performance which saw his Triumph Hurdle odds slashed to 6-1. He is the shortest-priced British contender for the race but, worryingly, he returned with a nasty gash on his near hind leg.

Henderson said: ‘I hope that doesn’t get in the way. We will have to get the miracle men working on it.’