Stone survives error to shock Angels Breath

Southfield Stone took the scalp of the highly-regarded Angels Breath to land the Dovecote Novices’ Hurdle at Kempton Park.

Sent off at 6-1, Paul Nicholls’s 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, and we just took advantage of it. He didn’t really get the trip at Taunton over two miles three furlongs. 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-to-point and sometimes those horses do get overhyped.

“I know where he and Grand Sancy [Kingwell Hurdle winner] are and I wouldn’t probably entertain running him [Southfield Stone] in the Supreme, I would probably look for a handicap. He is in the Imperial Cup in two weeks’ time, but he might be one to leave to go to Aintree with.”