Equinties - Thomas’ Angel

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Gm Equinauts 

I wont be posting any updates on how the BGP Capital horses are coming along, that’s owner’s privilege, but I’ve been watching the yearlings (now officially 2yo’s) work every morning since new years and boy oh boy am I excited.

I know we’re balls deep in the jumps season (racing twitter is nothing more than useless Festival antepost shit chat atm) but idc, I’m selfish - I want my horses running. I want the flat back right now.

Let’s dive in.

Headline roundup

Zarak The Bruised 

News is circulating Racing Twitter that ZARAK THE BRAVE, one of Willie Mullins’ star juveniles this season, is unlikely to make the Cheltenham Festival having undergone colic surgery. 

The four-year-old ZARAK gelding bolted up on debut at Fairyhouse in November but found LOSSIEMOUTH to be too good in the Grade 3 Bar One Racing Juvenile Hurdle last month. 

This adds to the growing Willie Mullins injury hitlist in what has been a frustrating year for the master of Closutton. 

Nothing is confirmed but the rumour mill has begun. 

Breath of fresh air

Looking ahead to the weekend, ANGELS BREATH (not seen since his late 2019 double over fences!!!) is set to return to the track for the first time in 1,121 days at Kempton on Saturday. Wow. 

Formerly with Nicky Henderson and now under the handling of Sam Thomas, the nine-year-old grey had a promising 2019.  

Following his Grade 2 Supreme Novices Hurdle Trial win at Ascot in December, the SHANTOU gelding was second in the Grade 2 Dovecote, seventh in the Grade 1 Supreme, and third in the Grade 1 Mersey at Aintree. 

Having become a novice chaser for the 2019/20 season, he bolted up by a combined 31 lengths over two races, however, he sustained a ‘serious leg injury’ during his last win at Ascot and hasn’t been seen since. 

Trainer Thomas 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.” 

The main thing is safe out and safe in for ANGELS BREATH this weekend – good luck! 

More: 

Where are the British? 

Entries for the Saturday and Sunday of this year’s Dublin Racing Festival were released yesterday, and everyone was left wondering the same questions: where are the British? 

IRISH POINT, LOSSIEMOUTH, APPRECIATE IT, GALOPIN DES CHAMPS, SIR GERHARD, ENERGUMENE, HONEYSUCKLE, and FACILE VEGA are the Irish superstars entered at this early stage, but a maximum of two horses look set to take a chance on foreign soil in the Grade 1 races. 

Alan King’s SCEAU ROYAL has been entered for the Grade 1 Dublin Chase over 2m1f and Nigel Twiston-Davies’ WEVEALLBEANCAUGHT, a recent Cheltenham successor, could turn up for the Grade 1 Nathaniel Lacy Solicitors Novice Hurdle over 2m6f. 

It is rather poor that the Irish come over in their warship to make the Cheltenham Festival competitive, but our British trainers don’t send their superstars to an equally big race (which is worth a decent amount of money) and make a day of it for the owners. 

Ah well, at least Willie Mullins isn’t afraid of running his horses against each other, making the first weekend in February one to savour. 

More: 

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Today’s best stats 

THE COB won well on chase debut for Pauling and looks set to back it up in the 14.00 at Huntingdon where Pauling has a near 1 in 3 sr in this race type.

Fergal is back in the winners enclosure having had a quiet Christmas and has a bullish near 40% sr in handicap chases at Huntingdon. SMOKING PIGEON goes in the 15.30 after an adequate pipe opener Boxing Day.

Risk on 

Bumpers are too tough today, as are the match bets. Any bets will be posted on twitter.