Yeats Chases Gold Double

Aidan O´Brien believes Yeats is better than ever this year as he chases a repeat victory in the Gold Cup at Royal Ascot.

The six-year-old was an impressive four-length winner of the stayers´ contest 12 months ago and he went on to follow up with victory in the Goodwood Cup.

However, he suffered a surprise defeat in the Irish St Leger last September before enduring a fruitless trip to Australia for the Melbourne Cup.

Yeats has been back on form this term though, notching two effortless victories and he heads for the two-and-a-half-mile feature as an odds-on favourite.

'We´ve been very happy with his two runs this year,' said O´Brien.

'For some reason he has gone very classy and pacey in his work, more than he ever showed before but maybe that is maturity.

'Maybe it´s because we have had a clear run at him so far this year. He is a bigger, stronger, heavier horse than he has ever been before.

'He´s had the two runs, obviously this is the next test for him now, two and a half miles at Ascot, but we are happy with him so far,' he told At The Races.

(C) PA Sport