1,121 days off: Angels Breath set for belated return at Kempton on Saturday

There cannot be many horses in training who have not run since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic but dual Grade 2 winner Angels Breath is one, with the talented grey set 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 last in action when winning the Noel Novices’ Chase for Nicky Henderson at Ascot in December 2019.

Angels Breath landed the Kennel Gate at the same track as a novice over hurdles the previous season, finishing seventh in the Supreme and third in the Mersey that spring, and is 2-2 over fences with his Noel success following an eight-length defeat of First Flow in a Ascot novice chase.

A belated reappearance is scheduled for the Coral Silviniaco Conti Chase (2.05 Kempton, Saturday) on his first start for Sam Thomas this weekend, with Angels Breath priced at 6-1 with several firms but a standout 16-1 with bet365.

Thomas made early-closing entries for the Ryanair Chase and Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup for Angels Breath last week but is just hoping for an encouraging display from the stable debutant.

He said: “Angels Breath has been off for a very long time so we hope he comes back safe and sound first and foremost. We wouldn’t be entering him in this sort of race if he hadn’t been showing up well at home but he hasn’t run for more than three years.”

Iwilldoit: 2021 Welsh National winner is 7-1 second favourite for the Classic Chase at WarwickCredit: Alan Crowhurst (Getty Images)

Angels Breath is one of two horses returning off long breaks for Thomas on Saturday with 2021 Welsh National winner Iwilldoit contesting the Wigley Group Classic Chase at Warwick.

The Diamond Racing-owned ten-year-old has not run since his high-profile Chepstow triumph but is towards the head of the betting at a general 7-1 second favourite for the 3m5f event.

Thomas, who runs Betfair Hurdle entry Deere Mark on the Kempton undercard, said: “Unfortunately we missed the Welsh National with Iwilldoit this season but he seems in good form and will love the cut in the ground. We’re hoping for a nice run but he’s off a career-high mark now.

“We’ve always thought he’s a proper staying chaser so his Welsh National win was a great day – hopefully there’s a bit more in the tank with him as he gets a bit older.

“We’ve not taken him or Angels Breath away for racecourse gallops or anything, we’ve done all their work from home and we’re lucky we have some good facilities.”

Wigley Group Classic Chase (3.00 Warwick, Saturday)
Paddy Power: 6 Guetapan Collonges, Threeunderthrufive, 7 Iwilldoit, Lord Du Mesnil, Slipway, 8 Grumpy Charley, Nestor Park, Notachance, Punitive, 10 Fakiera, Mr Incredible, 11 Tile Tappper, 12 Movethechains, 14 bar

Read more . . .

Long absent but 'good match' Stag Horn and Scholfield could return in Lanzarote Hurdle

Brits coming in force as one in five Dublin Racing Festival tickets bought in UK

Meet Terry The Handicapper - social media phenomenon

Sign up to receive On The Nose, our essential daily newsletter, from the Racing Post. Your unmissable morning feed, direct to your email inbox every morning.