Yaa Wayl

Yaa Wayl did well to win the seven-and-a-half-furlong handicap at Chester on Thursday. A bit keen in the very early stages, he did manage to get in behind the leading pair, just one off the rail on the outside of Sea Lord. He moved up nicely on the run around the home turn and picked up well when Philip Robinson asked him, given that he was a little free in the early stages, to take it up from the pair who had disputed the running up to that point, Jarrow and Burghley, and he stuck to his task really well to repel the late challenge of Our Joe Mac, who came wide and late and looked a little unlucky. That said, the pace was just about strong enough and the ground was just about slow enough to give the hold-up horses a chance, and Yaa Wayl was a worthy winner. He was less than a length up on Our Joe Mac on the home turn, yet he had the change of gear to take a couple of lengths out of him before just scrambling home. He had the pace to adopt a good position early without being rousted out of the gate, he got into position effortlessly, he travelled like a good horse throughout, and he still had the ability to change gear and pass the early leaders.

Yaa Wayl’s two best runs last season were on easy ground, so the easing of the ground here was in his favour. He was nicely progressive last term, and this was his debut this season, so it is reasonable to presume that he can continue on the upward curve. The handicapper has given him 6lb for this, but he still looks progressive enough to be able to win off his new mark of 94. Seven furlongs is probably his optimum, the fast pace that they go over that trip helps him settle, and he will be of interest wherever he goes next, especially if the ground is on the easy side.

6th May 2010