Progressive Son Of Yeats Captures Grade 3

The Goffer (5g Yeats - Ballylough Lady, by Mister Lord) maintained his upward curve with a Grade 3 success in the Michael Purcell Memorial Novice Hurdle at Thurles.

The Gordon Elliott-trained bay won a maiden hurdle in fine style in December and was sent off second favourite under Jordan Gainford on Friday. Chasing the clear leader, he took closer order with a circuit left to race and was pushed along to lead from two out. Quickening towards the final flight, he was ridden out on the run-in to win by a length and a quarter.

There should be more to come from the winner, with his rider later commenting, “The Goffer found plenty and if something was alongside him it might have brought him on a bit more but he did it well here off a nice gallop. He's a big horse and he will improve.”

Bred by Joseph O’Rahilly and owned by Allan Snow, The Goffer was bought by connections after a debut third on his sole start for Benny Walsh.