[Hwjb]

With both Yeats and Holy Roman Emperor beaten at long odds on in Group 1 events at The Curragh today, this will be a weekend that O'Brien will be looking to forget.

Yeats' loss in the Irish St Leger looked inconceivable based on his successes in the Gold Cup and Goodwood Cup earlier in the season. The drop back to 1m6f may have been a minor inconvenience, but it can't be used as an excuse for last season's Coronation Cup (12f) winner. It is self evident that the winner, Kastoria, is an improving mare, this her third success on the bounce, but she still left all her previous form well behind to defy the favourite inside the final furlong. Fallon took it up on turning in on Yeats, but Kastoria still travelled strongly under Kinane. At one point it appeared that Fallon's strength and Yeats' stamina would prove too much, but the way Kastoria fought past the runner-up suggests she should stay 2 miles.
As for Yeats, for all that the first 2 finished 10 lengths clear of the third, he was clearly below his best, most likely a result of the drop in trip and steady early tempo. The Melbourne Cup is certain to be run to suit him far more, although very fast ground would be somewhat concerning.