Royal Ascot Preview: He may face two-and-a-half miles and 13 opponents but there will be the whiff of some severely burned Irish fingers around Royal Ascot today if Yeats doesn't became the latest star name to record back-to-back Gold Cup victories.
Given the unique nature of the race in the modern economic realities of high-class international flat racing, double winners of Britain's greatest staying prize are comparatively plentiful, Royal Rebel (2001-02), Drum Taps (1992-93) and Sadeem (1988-89) having won two in a row in the last 20 years.
Yeats, however, looks a throwback to even more illustrious names of the past such as Ardross and Sagaro, and his normally cautious connections appear less than keen to downplay the six-year-old's talent over extreme distances.
Michael Kinane rode Yeats just once last year, in the Goodwood Cup, and that was enough for him to decide the horse might just be the best stayer he has ever ridden; and mounts in question include previous Gold Cup winners Classic Cliche (1996) and Kayf Tara (2000).
Aidan O'Brien is also leaning towards a "never been better" verdict on Yeats and said: "For some reason, he has gone very classy and pacy in his work, more than he has ever shown before, but maybe that is maturity. Maybe it is because we have had a clear run with him."
Ballydoyle's old rivals Godolphin have a wonderful record in the Gold Cup and rely on the Group One-proven Cherry Mix, while Sergeant Cecil will be the sentimental favourite for many in the Ascot stands.
O'Brien and Kinane will also be widely fancied in the opening Norfolk Stakes, where Warsaw will be the latest member of the in-form Ballydoyle juvenile team to appear.
Unbeaten in two starts, including a Listed race defeat of The Loan Express at the Curragh, Warsaw is clearly one of the leading O'Brien two-year-olds right now, and on the back of Henrythenavigator's Coventry success, he will be expected to be a major player.
O'Brien isn't represented in the Britannia Handicap but the Coolmore syndicate have an Irish runner with David Wachman's De La Grandera, who can break his maiden tag in the £55,000 mile event.
Off a weight of just 8st 3lb, De La Grandera is at the right end of the weights and although beaten in both starts this year, he was placed behind high-class fillies such as Truly Mine and the Irish Oaks contenders Timarwa and Profound Beauty.
All My Loving appreciated the slight ease in the going at Epsom earlier in the month to run a big race in the Oaks when third behind Light Shift and Peeping Fawn.
That single piece of form gives the Irish filly a big shout in the Ribblesdale Stakes, but quicker conditions may not be ideal for her whereas they would be perfect for the six-length Pretty Polly winner Dalvina.
Red Rock Canyon, a son of the double classic winners, Rock Of Gibraltar and Imagine, is another Irish hope trying to break his maiden at the biggest stage of all, this time in the King George V Stakes.
He faces a stiff task, however, against a strong field headed by the topweight Eradicate, who in turn will do well to confirm Haydock placings with Philatelist.
Michael Jarvis's horse is 5lb better off for two lengths and the trainer has a fine record around here.
Brian O'Connor's tips
2.30 Warsaw
3.05 Dalvina
3.45 Yeats
4.20 De La Grandera
4.55 Desert Dew
5.30 Philatelist
