Back-To-Back Hurdle Wins For Improving Yeats Mare

Hophornbeam (7m Yeats - Leith Walk, by Posidonas) made it two from two for the Gordon Elliott stable when justifying favouritism at Cartmel on Sunday.

Successful last time out at Clonmel, the Irish raider was partnered by Jordan Gainford in the Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle over two miles and one furlong. Racing prominently throughout, she was pushed along to challenge approaching the final flight and led on the turn for home. Running on well, she scored by five and a half lengths from Prime Time Lady (Westerner), with the front pair finishing clear of the field.

Owned by Michael O’Reilly, Hophornbeam was bred by Paddy Kennedy. The daughter of Yeats is a half-sister to Mr Jackman (Flemensfirth), who also won his first two starts for the Elliott team.