Hyland Heather wilts again close home

The maiden auction at Yarmouth looked a seller in all but name and a terrific opportunity for the clear top-rated Hyland Heather to finally break her duck at the tenth attempt. However, whether a nine-race maiden deserves to be sent off as short as 2-7 in any contest is another matter. Richard Fahey's filly travelled nicely enough and led approaching the final furlong, but she was outbattled in the closing stages by Sakhee's Jem, who was matched at 38 in running on Betfair. The runner-up (1.12) has now traded at 2.16 or shorter in defeat on eight occasions.

In the following 1m3f maiden handicap, Jamie Spencer was at his strongest on board Notice, who wore down Princesse Eva (1.42) after being done at a high-looking 100. Spencer improved to 3-4 for David Simcock at the track this season.

Lapilli's extremely impressive victory in the 5f handicap at Yarmouth improved William Haggas-trained runners to 9-22 in three-year-old-plus handicaps at the track in the last five seasons.