Yafta

Yafta was a little unlucky not to finish closer than he did in the Abernant Stakes. Smartly away and settled nicely in a clear fifth place behind the leading group of four, he started to make progress from the three-furlong marker. He and favourite Brando made their ground together towards the near side, but Brando leaned into Yafta a little, with the result that he was running up a cul de sac, behind the two leaders Equilateral and Sir Thomas Gresham. Jim Crowley found a gap for him between horses, but they lost valuable momentum and, while Yafta battled back well to get the better of Brando, the pair of them were mugged by Keystroke, who came from last down the outside to beat them both.

It was still a fine run from Richard Hannon’s horse. If he had had a clear run, he probably would have won. He had plenty of racing last year as a three-year-old, he finished second behind Above The Rest in the Group 3 Chipchase Stakes at Newcastle in June, and he showed a good attitude to get the better of Projection and Dream Of Dreams in the Group 3 Hackwood Stakes at Newbury in July. This was his first run since last August, so there is every chance that he will progress from it. Six furlongs and fast ground and a fast pace suits him well, and he could be a sprinter who is worth following this term. He is proven at Newbury, and he goes well on both Newmarket tracks.

Newmarket, 17^th April 2019