Sky Bet Dovecote Novices’ Hurdle
Grade 2, Kempton Park 15:00
£30,000 added,
4yo only,
2m, Class 1   
Saturday 23rd February 2019

Trainers Quotes

1 Southfield Stone 6/1
2 Angels Breath 8/11F
3 Normal Norman 40/1
7 ran NR: Daphne Du Clos, Rouge Vif
Distances: ¾l, 18l, 8l Time: 3m 41.60s (fast by 0.40s)

Supreme Novices' hope Angels Breath is held in second

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 in January, 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 didn’t 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-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 with him.

“He is in the Imperial Cup in two weeks’ time, but he might be one to leave to go to Aintree with.

“It has taken me a little bit by surprise. He is a big, improving horse, though, and will be a cracking chaser.”

BetGoodwin

Sky Bet Dovecote Novices' Hurdle
£30,000 added, 4yo plus, 2m, Class 1
7 ran
Going: Good

Pos D Horse SP Jockey Weight Trainer Age
1st Southfield Stone 6/1 H Cobden
11-2		 P F Nicholls 6
2nd ¾ Angels Breath (IRE) 8/11f Nico de Boinville
11-7		 N J Henderson 5
3rd 18 Normal Norman 40/1 P J Brennan
11-2		 J Ryan 5
4th 8 Brecon Hill (IRE) 25/1 D A Jacob
11-2		 Mrs S J Humphrey 6
5th nk Scarlet Dragon 7/2 Wayne Hutchinson
11-2		 A King 6
F Tokay Dokey (IRE) 14/1 Harry Skelton
11-2		 D Skelton 5
WN Daphne Du Clos (FR) N D Fehily
10-9		 N J Henderson 6
NR Rouge Vif (FR) G Sheehan
11-2		 H Whittington 5

BetGoodwin