I WOULD like to start by thanking everyone for all of the extremely kind messages we’ve received with regard to the welfare of Angel’s Breath; they are all very much appreciated and we are all very grateful, but I am afraid to say it is not good news at all and unfortunately he severed a degree of his superficial flexor tendon during the race at Ascot yesterday which necessitated having surgery last night by our excellent vets at Donnington Grove and means he will not race for at least a year. Everything went well, however, and they were all very pleased with his wellbeing afterwards and this morning. He has cut into the tendon sheath so the most important thing is to keep the area 110% clean as you cannot allow for even the slightest, teeniest gram of dirt to get in as that will cause an infection, so everything now for the next three weeks is going to be about keeping it wrapped up as it could become very dangerous. He is fully dosed up with antibiotics and pain killers so is comfortable and if we can get him through the next few weeks we can then begin to start mending the tendon. This is a very serious injury and he’s not out of the woods, in fact a few years ago it may have been a completely different outcome but thanks to modern technology and our brilliant team of vets he is in very safe hands and we are able to save him. He’s actually now living next door to Buveur D’Air so they are both telling each other of their frustrations at being forced to sit out the rest of the season! There is a positive prognosis that Angels Breath will be able to race again and he was able to walk out well this morning. It goes without saying that it is extremely frustrating and a major disappointment as good horses like this don’t just come around corners and they are both freak injuries which are quite hard to take for everyone. I’m very sad for Dai Walters and Ronnie Bartlett who are partners in Angels Breath and they absolutely adore him so are understandably devastated because they care so much, as does Annie who looks after him. She lives with him day in day out and knows him inside out so it’s an extremely cruel blow for her as she will probably be feeling it quite a lot more because he is her pride and joy.

ALTIOR

Racing is a tough and unpredictable game but thankfully there is some good news to report where Altior is concerned and after working very well this week we have come to the conclusion that we have every intention of running in the G2 Desert Orchid Chase on Friday. Nico is much happier with him and his schooling was electric so we are off to Kempton as the ground will be as good there as it’s going to be anywhere at the moment. As for the future, who knows, but I need a race for him and the King George is not what he wants as things stand at this stage of his season.