31-05-07

Ascot Gold Cup hero Yeats made a highly satisfactory return to action at Leopardstown yesterday evening.

Sent off the 1-7 favourite to beat just four rivals in the Seamus & Rosemary McGrath Memorial Saval Beg Stakes over a mile and three-quarters, the Aidan O'Brien-trained six-year-old was always in cruise control.

Seamus Heffernan asked him to quicken round the home turn and he quickly shot clear before being pushed out to the line for a six-length success over Mutakarrim.

VC Bet and William Hill were quick to react and cut the son of Sadler's Wells to even-money from 5-4 to defend his stayers' crown on June 21, with Cashmans doing likewise.

O'Brien said from his Ballydoyle base: "I was delighted with that, he did it well. Hopefully he will be OK in the morning and it's on to Ascot then."

Heffernan added: "He was the highest-rated horse in the race and he did what he was expected to do. He's a horse with a lot of class."

O'Brien and Heffernan struck earlier with Greek Mythology, who has been touted as a possible Royal Ascot contender but had to work reasonably hard to open his account in the Irish Stallion Farms European Breeders Fund Maiden.

The Mr Greeley colt was sent off the 4-7 favourite to follow up a promising third on his debut at Newbury earlier this month.

All looked well as he swung into the straight, but he had to be kept right up to his work to see off the persistent challenge of Slaney Rock by a length and a half.

Heffernan said: "He has improved from his first run. He's getting sharper and he looks to have the makings of a good horse."