CHAMPION stayer Yeats again proved different class to the opposition as the odds-on favourite romped home under Mick Kinane to land consecutive runnings of the Gold Cup on Ladies' Day at Royal Ascot.
Aidan O'Brien's six-year-old has dominated the staying scene since his runaway success 12 months ago and joined the likes of Royal Rebel, Drum Taps, Ardross and Le Moss as dual winners of the £225,000 event.
Mick Kinane's mount entered stall numb
er two as the 8-13 favourite and therefore became the shortest-priced winner since Sadeem obliged at 8-11 in 1989.
The one-time Derby favourite made smooth headway from mid-division on the far side of the course and had matters sewn up after forging clear inside the final two furlongs. Yeats was out in splendid isolation when Geordieland stormed from the pack to lay down a challenge, but the favourite found more and collected by a length and a half, with Le Miracle a further three and a half lengths down in third.
O'Brien, celebrating his 19th winner at the meeting and his third of the week, said: "He is much quicker this year and that is why Mick rode him so patiently, and we often think with stayers it is a finishing kick which wins the race. Seamus Heffernan says he has been finishing his races much better this year, but once he gets there he doesn't do a lot, and he was only dossing in front.
"All races are open to him and we have to discuss where he goes. It is very possible he might miss Goodwood and go to the Irish Leger and then the Melbourne Cup. Since last year this race has always been the plan. This race is the ultimate staying race and a third crack at it would be on the agenda. It would be great to be back again."
While a chance to emulate three-time winner Sagaro is on the cards, a trip Down Under is likely to come first.
Boylesports are as short as 9-2 about Yeats improving on his seventh in last year's Melbourne Cup, while Cashmans offer 8-1, Coral 10-1 and Betfred 12s.
Kinane was winning the race for the third time following victories on Classic Cliche and Kayf Tara, and he said: "He settled beautifully and I decided to make my move as none of the French horses were going as well as me. I went outside to take up a nice prominent position and I knew my fellow would take three or four lengths out of anything behind me."
In the the Listed Hampton Court Stakes, Zaham, the 7-2 favourite, just held off the late flourish of Al Shemali in a thrilling finish. Trainer Mark Johnston said: "Sheikh Hamdan said to me that this horse has had a long season and he would like to keep him in training next year, so I should look after him now. He will probably step up to a Group race on his next run."
FORTUNE FAVOURED
JIMMY Fortune's win on Winker Watson in the Norfolk Stakes took his tally to five for the Ascot meeting and makes him a red-hot favourite for the jockeys' prize.
