Ascot Gold Cup glory for Aidan O'Brien’s Yeats

Yeats swept to an easy victory for Kieren Fallon in the Gold Cup at Royal Ascot.

Leading early in the straight, the Aidan O'Brien-trained five-year-old got first run on his rivals and stormed clear.

The 7-1 shot came home four lengths ahead of the French challenger Reefscape, with Distinction a head away third. Media Puzzle broke down on the line and was quickly dismounted by Pat Smullen.

As soon as the runners turned for home Fallon made his move, taking several lengths out of the field.

Yeats soon built up a commanding lead to give O'Brien his first Gold Cup and Fallon a second after Mr Dinos in 2003.

O'Brien told BBC Sport: "Things didn't go to plan after he won the Coronation Cup last year and he had some serious problems. "We had to be patient with him but credit to everybody at the yard, they did a great job in getting him back.

"You can never be sure they are going to stay two and a half miles. Kieren thought he didn't get a run when he needed it in the Irish Leger last year but we knew he stayed a mile and six.

"Kieren said he would probably stay two miles but obviously you are never sure they will stay this far.

"Kieren was always confident he would stay which was why he went on early. It's great to have a horse that we can aim at the Cup races and we just hope he stays sound, he's something to look forward to."

Fallon said: "I knew they hadn't gone that quick and I'd saved all my gas. I knew he'd have a turn of foot as he showed that over a mile and a half.

"He's a horse with a lot of class. You never know until they race over the distance if they are going to get it. "If he stayed he was going to win.

"He was tough and it's a great training performance as he's not run for a long time. To bring him back over this distance is great.

"I got a dream run all the way round and got out when I wanted to."