Progressive Daughter Of Yeats Raises Kim Muir Cup

Angels Dawn (8m Yeats - Angels Guard Thee, by Dylan Thomas) provided connections with a day to remember when staying on strongly to win the Kim Muir Challenge Cup at the Cheltenham Festival.

One of just six horses trained under rules by Sam Curling, Alfred Sweetnam’s homebred appeared unlucky when unseating last time out in the Grand National Trial, for which she was sent off favourite. Partnered by Patrick King at Cheltenham, she raced towards the back of the field for much of the way and began to make headway from five out. Leading at the second last, she dug deep when asked and rallied to deny the favourite by a neck on the line.

“It's unbelievable for a small team like ours,” said a delighted Sam Curling after the race. “This is brilliant. She was unlucky when unseating at Punchestown last time out and has always promised a lot. She was given a really cool ride and she's tough – when the rain came I was pretty confident.”

There may be more to come from Angels Dawn, according to her trainer, who said, “She could be one for the Grand National in the future as she will race on.”

The daughter of Yeats boasted useful form over hurdles, having placed at Grade 3 and Grade 2 level. She is the first foal bred by Sweetnam out of flat maiden winner Angels Guard Thee (Dylan Thomas).