Southfield Sky Bet success set in Stone
SOUTHFIELD Stone took the scalp of the highly-regarded Angels Breath to land the Sky Bet Dovecote Novices’ Hurdle at Kempton Park.
Sent off at 6-1, Paul Nicholls’ charge won despite flattening the final flight and drifting over to the stands side, holding the challenge of Angels Breath by three-quarters of a length.
Southfield Stone, who was third to Elixir De Nutz in the Grade One Tolworth Hurdle at Sandown last month, was prominent throughout.
After sharing pacemaking duties with Brecon Hill, Southfield Stone went to the front some way out and looked to have Angels Breath’s measure until the leader’s effort at the last gave the 8-11 favourite hope.
However, Southfield Stone was back on an even keel with the rail to help close home and maintained his advantage.
The six-year-old was cut to 8-1 from 14-1 for the Imperial Cup at Sandown with Betfair, who eased Angels Breath to 16-1 from 6-1 for the Sky Bet Supreme Novices’ Hurdle at Cheltenham.
Nicholls said: “He was fit and well and jumped nicely, bar the last.
“He was a fit horse and we just took advantage of it.
“He did not really get the trip at Taunton over two-three.
“We thought he was all right and the plan has come off.
“Angels Breath to be fair has only had one run and a point-topoint and sometimes those horses do become overhyped.
“I know where he and Grand Sancy (Kingwell Hurdle winner) are and I would not probably entertain running him (Southfield Stone) in the Supreme.”