Yerwanthere makes perfect start for new connections

Yerwanthere made the perfect start for her new connections, as she came from off the pace to land the William Hill Pick Your Places Handicap.

Successful on debut at Leopardstown when trained by Pat Foley, she subsequently changed hands and is now in the care of Joseph O'Brien for Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners.

Sent off an easy-to-back 10/1 chance this evening, the Markaz bay was settled towards rear by Wayne Lordan, making progress from the two furlong pole.

Briefly short of room a furlong out, she soon came with her challenge between horses and led inside the final 100 yards, going on to prevail by a neck.

Both Pierre Lapin (7/1) and Miss Mirabell (25/1) came home well, but ultimately had to settle for second and third respectively, with a neck between them at the line.

Returned the 2/1 favourite, Federal who is stable companion of the winner, had no luck in running.

Settled in rear, he took closer order over a furlong from home but was soon short of room and never got the desired splits, eventually finishing seventh, beaten by just over a length.

Brendan Powell, O'Brien's assistant trainer, said: "He just said she was a little bit slow away, but she would be with experienced horses like that. Wayne said the one thing she has got is a turn of foot and he said she quickened beautifully.

"She had a little look in front but they are experienced handicappers - you get your likes of Freescape and the like that have all been abroad. You could mark that run up as it was her second ever racecourse run.

"He said the way she hits the ground, you'd say she wants a cut in it, but she won on fast ground at Leopardstown. That gives Joseph options, but fair play to him for sort of picking her out and thinking that there might be something there.

"I tell you what I liked about her, there wasn't much of a gap there about a half furlong out and she battled her way through it, she puts her head down."

Additional reporting by Michael Graham