History-seeking Yeats ‘has definitely come forward since Navan’
The strapping eight-year-old was winter favourite for the Derby way back in 2004 but was forced to miss the race through injury.
Having won the Coronation Cup in 2005, proving he could handle Epsom’s undulations, he was stepped up in distance the following season and it was then he blossomed.
Three victories in this race and two Goodwood Cups followed as he established himself as the best stayer in 20 years, and glory today would single him out as arguably the best of all time as the only horse to have won the great race four times.
Murtagh partnered him last year and is in the saddle again, although Kieren Fallon (2006) and Mick Kinane (2007) have also been successful on Aidan O’Brien’s entire.
He is favourite again at a general 9-4 but does need to put a very disappointing reappearance run at Navan way behind him.
“He’s going to be huge for us this week,” said Murtagh.
“He’s going to be huge for everyone. He’s in great shape and Ascot is where he shines most brightly.
“Fast ground, two and a half miles around there, he has to have a big chance.
“Seamus (Heffernan) rides him in a lot of his work at home and he says he has definitely come forward since Navan.
“He’s in good form and he obviously knows Ascot well. He seems to come alive with the big crowd on the big day and we’re hoping he can do it again.
“No horse has won the Gold Cup four times so it would be something special if he can do it and that’s what Royal Ascot is all about.
“Special things happen over the week there.”
Cold Cup: Cashmans bet - 7/4 Yeats, 11/4 Patkai, 3 Geordieland, 7 Veracity, 25 Eastern Anthem, 33 Centennial, 50 Hindu Kush, Washington Irving, 66 Sagara
