Son Of Yeats Adds Grade 2 To Perfect Hurdle Record

The Yellow Clay (5g Yeats – Winning Indian, by Indian Danehill) made it three from three over hurdles with a last-gasp win in Saturday’s Grade 2 Navan Novice Hurdle.

A Listed winner and Grade 1 runner-up in bumpers, the Gordon Elliott-trained bay won his hurdle bow by nine lengths and followed up with a 10-length romp in a Grade 3 over Saturday’s course and distance.

That saw him sent off a short-priced favourite for the feature race, but supporters had cause for concern when it looked like longtime leader Fleur In The Park (Walk In The Park) had gained too great an advantage. The Yellow Clay responded to Sam Ewing’s urgings, getting up to lead close home, asserting by a neck on the line.

“He's learning how to race and he will learn a lot from that,” said the winning trainer. He had his head in front at the right time, which is always a good sign in a horse.

“I'd say the second horse got a good ride. He got the fractions right and kicked at the right time. He nearly caught us. I told Sam not to be in front too soon, so he rode to instructions anyway.”

Noel Moran, who owns and bred the Yeats gelding with wife Valerie, added: “It was a good, battling performance. Battling is certainly an attribute you need in an Albert Bartlett, so it would be no surprise to see him aimed there next spring.”