Identity Thief got up late in the piece to win an engaging renewal of the StanJames.com Fighting Fifth Hurdle at Newcastle.
Henry de Bromhead’s five-year-old was always prominent in the Grade One but handed the initiative back to Top Notch with a sketchy leap at the last flight.
But Bryan Cooper’s companion was the essence of willingness and rallied along the run-in to collect by a neck at odds of 6-1.
De Bromhead: “I’m delighted. He did it really well and it was a super ride from Bryan.
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“He missed the last but he got back up well.
“We’ve always liked him and it’s great to come over here and win a Grade One.”