Exciting Hurdle Prospects Emerge For Yeats

Talented flat performer Lord Yeats (5g Yeats- Bogside Theatre, by Fruits Of Love) looks to have a bright future over hurdles after winning the Maiden Hurdle by all of 16 lengths at Sedgefield on Wednesday.

Geoff and Sandra Turnbull’s homebred was a Listed winner over a mile and a half and finished second to Order Of St George in the Group 3 Vintage Crop Stakes in April. Second on his hurdle debut last month, he was sent off favourite for his latest start and was ridden to track the leaders by Joe Colliver. Asserting with four flights left to jump, the Jedd O’Keeffe trained bay drew clear before two out, and was never challenged.

Meanwhile, over at Wetherby, Mega Yeats (4m Yeats - Mega Mum, by Presenting) justified favouritism in the Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle for Ruth Jefferson.

An impressive winner of her first bumper in October, she followed up with a fine second in a Listed contest last month and was having her first start over hurdles on Wednesday. Leading from start to finish under Jamie Hamilton, she fought off a challenge by Storm Goddess (Oscar) from the second last, with the pair drawing 25 lengths clear of the third horse.

The winning distance was one length and Hamilton afterwards said, “That was a nice introduction. Mega Yeats had to do her own donkey work but she did that in her bumpers. She only does what she has to but turning in I felt she had a lot left. Her jumping was neat and accurate throughout.”

Owned by the Mount Fawcus Partnership, Mega Yeats was bought by Bobby O’Ryan and Ruth Jefferson for £60,000 after winning her sole start for Donnchadh Doyle by three lengths.