Monster gamble foiled in bumper

Unraced Frontline was backed as if defeat was out of the question in the 23-runner bumper, but he faded out of contention in the final furlong at Punchestown.

The five-year-old son of Group 1 winner King’s Theatre is trained by Peter Fahey. He opened at 33/1 this morning and was backed at all rates down to 4/1 on the off.

He travelled nicely into contention in second behind Dubh Eile on the home turn, but couldn’t reel that rival in and was swamped in the final furlong in finishing seventh.

The complexion of the race changed inside the last half furlong as Wicklow Brave (6/1) and Stephanie Frances (33/1) came through with their challenges on the outside.

It looked like Wicklow Brave would hold off Stephanie Frances, but she came again and got up in a driving finish to prevail by a neck with Johnny Burke doing the steering.

It was three lengths back to third-placed Macnicholson (6/1). Ample Space the 3/1 favourite, was disappointing in 16th.

Trainer Michael McElhone who was also leading up the unraced five-year-old said: “It’s totally unexpected. She’s so light I couldn’t get work into her, but she’s obviously decent. I’m delighted with her.”

Stephanie Frances is also a daughter of King’s Theatre.

Additional reporting by Gary Carson