Purple patch for Yeats

The winners keep on rolling in for Yeats with the Edward O’Grady-trained The West's Awake (5g Yeats-Bilboa, by Phantom Breeze) capturing a two-mile maiden hurdle at Fairyhouse in impressive fashion. The five-year-old, who realised 60,000 euros as a foal, was bred at Kenilworth House Stud out of the high-class Bilboa. “He looks a potentially smart novice on this evidence and looks sure to hold his own in better company in the coming weeks,” commented the Racing Post. “Still only a five-year-old, he has time on his side and with a clear run now the future could be bright.”

That success followed on from a debut win for Burbank (4g Yeats-Spring Swoon, by Highest Honor) in a Newbury bumper for trainer Nicky Henderson.

Ronnie Bartlett’s four-year-old, a 140,000 euros store purchase bred by Derrymore House Syndicate, won this first start by six lengths from well-connected rivals.