Exciting Newcomer Completes Impressive Double For Yeats

The Sam Curling-trained newcomer Wheres Maud Gone (4f Yeats - Barchetta, by Flemensfirth) shaped like an exciting prospect when running out an impressive winner of Thursday’s bumper at Thurles.

Ridden to chase the leaders by Derek O’Connor, the bay improved to dispute second over three furlongs out and led approaching the final furlong, racing clear to score by eight lengths.

The win came as no surprise to her trainer, who said, “Wheres Maud Gone has done everything right at home and was just ready to start. That's her first gallop on grass but we were expecting a good run and we fancied her well. She is a good filly. She was actually entered in a point to point last weekend but she was showing so much pace we said we'd come here.” He added that the Peter Curling-owned filly will now be sold.

Earlier that day at Sedgefield, the Olly Murphy-trained Here Comes Johny (5g Yeats - Strike An Ark, by Shernazar) was similarly impressive when taking the Novices’ Hurdle over two miles and five furlongs.

An easy winner of his maiden hurdle last month, he was sent off second favourite under James King and raced towards the back of the field for much of the way. Making headway from three out, he produced a strong challenge at the second last and soon led, running on to score by 14 lengths.

The son of Yeats is owned by Foxtrot Racing and was bred by Brendan Cawley.