Review CURRAGH 15TH SEP

Aidan O'Brien filled the only gap on his classic race CV as Yeats just got the better of stable-companion Scorpion in a thrilling finish to the Irish Field St Leger.

The two-time Ascot Gold Cup winner was sent off the 4/7 favourite but odds-on punters were sweating as Kieren Fallon was hard at work entering the straight behind the front-running Scorpion.

However Yeats gradually wore down the deficit and got up in the final 50 yards to score by half a length, with Mores Wells four and a half lengths back in third.

John Magnier indicated that one of Yeats, Scorpion or Septimus would run in the Prix du Cadran at Longchamp on Arc day, while the Arc itself is a possibility for Yeats if the ground came up soft.

The Melbourne Cup is also on the agenda although he admitted the equine flu currently in parts of Australia 'is a worry'.

Course specialist Benbaun recorded his sixth victory at headquarters in the six furlongs Group 3 St Jovite Renaissance Stakes.

The gallant six-year-old gelding was prominent throughout under Pat Smullen and rallied strongly inside the final furlong to beat Moss Vale by three quarters of a length.

'He seems even better this year and we purposely gave him a quiet campaign as we plan to go further aboard later this year,' said trainer Mark Wallace.

He added, 'He was third in Hong Kong last year and we could go there again, while the Breeders Cup is also a possibility. I also have Australia in mind.'

Fran Berry dominated the remainder of the card with a 57/1 treble to put him on the 54 winner mark for the season including the opening two juvenile races on the John Oxx-trained pair Forthefirstime and Age Of Chivalry.

Forthefirstime stayed on gamely to lead close home for a neck verdict over Longing To Dance, with Bett's Spirit the same margin back in third, in the Listed six furlongs race.

'She had been running on very heavy ground but is happier on that, and she didn't get the seven furlongs here the last day,' said Oxx.

Age Of Chivalry opened her account at the third time of asking when justifying 8/13 favouritism in the sprint maiden, but only after overcoming the strong challenge of La Sylvia (10/1-13/2).

The pair pulled six lengths clear of the remainder as Berry's mount only got on top in the closing stages to score by a length and a half.

'I was a bit worried about the ground beforehand but she seemed to handle it quite well and hopefully she'll prove a nice filly over five and six furlongs next year,' said Oxx.

Baron De'l completed the Berry treble in the 10f Crown Paints-sponsored Premier Handicap, leading early in the straight and staying on strongly to beat Forthright by 4 1/2L.

Berry went agonisingly close to making it four on the day in the 14f handicap as Eight Up was caught on the line by the John Egan-ridden Athlumney Lad.

South Wing (7/1-4/1fav) was a popular order in the concluding 10f handicap, responding to a strong drive by Declan McDonogh to beat Solar Sail by 1 1/4L.

Alan Magee