One-Two for Hidden Pearl and Dereham at Yarmouth

Hidden Pearl and Dereham each made their first appearance of the year in the same race on Thursday and got their seasons off to a great start by finishing first and second in the staying handicap at Yarmouth.

Both horses were previous course-and-distance winners, and it was Hidden Pearl who came home best this time to win for the third time at Yarmouth in posting her fifth career victory. She was given an excellent confidence-boosting ride by seven-pound claimer Taryn Langley, and the same can be said for Kieran Shoemark's ride on Dereham. Dropped out in the early stages, they were able to take advantage of a strong early pace to run home well in the straight.

Hidden Pearl may well return to Yarmouth for a similar race next month, while Dereham is aiming to line up for the fourth consecutive year in the two-mile handicap at Newmarket on June 26, having won the race in 2022 and 2023.

There was also an encouraging performance from Double Meaning on his stable debut at Chelmsford. He was bought by Tony Fordham from Godolphin in February and we look forward to seeing what this lovely horse can do later this season.