Impressive Grade 2 Winner For Yeats At Sandown Finale

Younevercall (8g Yeats - Afarjs, by Kahyasi) never looked in danger when running out an impressive winner of the Grade 2 bet365 Select Hurdle at Sandown on Saturday.

Dropping back in trip and racing in his preferred right-handed direction, the Kim Bailey-trained bay was sent off favourite under David Bass. Jumping well throughout, he switched between sharing the lead until halfway, where he asserted and began to draw clear from two out. Staying on strongly up the straight, he extended his advantage to nine lengths on the line, with a further 12 lengths back to the third horse.

Later described by his trainer as having “loads of ability”, Younevercall may remain over hurdles next season. The Paddy Kennedy-bred bay was bought by connections after winning his bumper for Tom Lacey and is a half-brother to Grade 3 runner-up Afasheen.