Navan: Yeats justified 1 to 3 favouritism when making an exemplary return to action in the Vintage Crop Stakes at Navan yesterday.

Last year's impressive Gold Cup winner was always travelling smoothly in the hands of Séamus Heffernan, who only had to nudge his partner out to score by a smooth five lengths.

While this Listed race lacked the strength in depth on show at Royal Ascot last June, the six-year-old's victory will have been welcomed by Aidan O'Brien, who saddled Dylan Thomas to Group One victory at Longchamp.

Yeats tracked the pacesetters throughout the early stages but turned for home just off the speed and soon found himself bossing proceedings at the head of affairs.

Runner-up Reform Act (8 to 1) tracked him at the two-furlong marker but his run quickly faded as Yeats lengthened his advantage. Cool Touch ran well to claim third at 12 to 1 for trainer Peter Casey. "He's a class horse and he won the way we wanted him to," explained Heffernan. "This is a proper horse and he just came on the bridle for me two furlongs out."

Jim Bolger warmed up for next weekend's high-profile meeting at Newmarket when landing a near 97 to 1 treblewith Let Me Shine, Asafa and La Conquistadora gave the yard a timely boost.

Stable jockey Kevin Manning was on board the last two winners, while 5lb claimer Davy Moran showcased his talents on Let Me Shine.

Mick Kinane was the toast of Hong Kong yesterday with a brilliant Group One double for trainer John Moore at Sha Tin. The multiple Irish champion jockey partnered Viva Pataca to victory in the Audemars Piguet QE II Cup and also won the Champions Mile on Able One.

Viva Pataca, formerly known as Comic Strip when trained in England by Mark Prescott, stormed into the lead over a furlong out and kept on strongly to score from Dubai Sheema Classic winner Vengeance Of Rain with Dubai Duty Free victor Admire Moon third.

Kinane had earlier made all the running when Able One sprang a 33 to 1 surprise in the Champions Mile as Moore landed a notable one-two.