Breeze To Skip Newbury

Breedsbreeze, one of the leading fancies for the totesport Trophy, looks set to bypass Newbury in favour of a run at Exeter 24 hours later.

The Paul Nicholls-trained six-year-old won the Grade One Tolworth Hurdle on his last start and is as low as 8-1 second-favourite with Boylesports for the February 9 event.

However, owner Jim Lewis rates him a 'doubtful' starter in the extended two-mile handicap event, with the Listed totesport.com Novices' Hurdle, won by the Nicholls-trained Noland in 2006 ? a likely alternative.

'The punters should keep their hands in their pockets,' said Lewis.

'I've spoken to Paul this morning and he's inclined to think that we have a lot of weight to carry and if we returned to the novice hurdle arena ? ie at Exeter the next day ? theoretically, it would be an easier race.

'Although we are still in (at Newbury), I doubt very much indeed that he will be declared at the five-day stage.

'Therefore. the guys that were going to spend their money should save it until Sunday the 10th and have it on Breedsbreeze then.

'We desperately want to get to Cheltenham and run in the Ballymore on the Wednesday and it would be a bit disappointing if we left our race at Newbury.

'Let's face it, we might leave it at Exeter, but Paul thinks, and I agree with him, that should be an easier proposition, hopefully,' he told At The Races.

Breedsbreeze is the general 10-1 second-favourite for the Ballymore Properties Novices' Hurdle.

(C) PA Sport