Yeats Star

Yeats Star stayed on strongly to take third place in the three-mile handicap hurdle on the first day of the Dublin Racing Festival. It was his first run over three miles, and he did well to keep on as well as he did. No better than mid-division as they left the back straight, he made good ground across the top of the track, over the second last flight and to the home turn, and he stayed on well for Danny Gilligan up the home straight and over the last to take third place.

It was a big run by Gordon Elliott’s horse. He was faster than all his rivals through the final four furlongs, he stayed the trip well, and that opens up lots of options for him. He is only five, and this was just his eighth run over hurdles, and his first beyond two and a half miles, and he should be able to come forward again. The handicapper raised him by just 3lb to a mark of 134, and that was more than fair. He will be of interest now in another good staying handicap hurdle off that mark.

Leopardstown, 3^rd February 2024