Heffernan - dont write off Yeats Seamus Heffernan says it's too early to write off Yeats after the three-times Ascot Gold Cup winner flopped on his reappearance at Navan on Sunday. Aidan O'Brien's superstar stayer is due to bid for a fourth consecutive triumph at the Royal Meeting in June. But he failed to show his old brilliance on his seasonal debut, trailing in sixth behind Alandi in the Vintage Crop Stakes. Despite that Heffernan is convinced Yeats will still be a force to be reckoned with at Ascot. He said: "I was a bit disappointed that he didn't collect for me. "He just didn't go with me down the dip. "In fairness, you'd rather run him on softer than harder ground to start him off. "He got a bit tired on the ground. "When he gets his ground, and he's a bit fitter, he'll be a real competitor. "I'm sure Aidan will have him right for the big day that matters."
