Improving Sons Of Yeats Gain Maiden Victories

Saturday saw Wellington Hill (6g Yeats - Jaldemosa, by Cadoudal) get off the mark in the maiden hurdle over two and a half miles at Gowran Park.

A promising fourth last time out, the Mags Mullins-trained bay was positioned in midfield by Danny Mullins and was asked to quicken from the third last. Ridden from the penultimate flight, he kept on well to lead in the shadow of the post.

“I'm delighted with Wellington Hill,” the winning trainer said after the race. “He's really a chaser in the making, he's from a good family and they were all chasers.”

Owned by Mullins with breeder Daniel Furini, Wellington Hill is a full-brother to smart chaser and Grade 2 winning hurdler Hang In There (Yeats).

At the same track the previous day, Wee Willie Nail (4g Yeats - Siba De La Pampa, by Astarabad) led home a 1-2 for Coolmore NH sires in the maiden hurdle over two miles.

Gordon Elliott’s charge finished in the first four on all of his previous starts and was sent off favourite to gain a deserved win under Davy Russell. Racing in second for much of the way, the bay asserted after the third last and was ridden when challenged after the next. Running on well from the final flight, he scored by four lengths, as Catena Zapata (Vadamos) drew eight lengths clear of the third.

Wee Willie Nail is owned by Stephen Waterworth and was bred by Southeast Bloodstock with Owen Hickey.