Cape Blanco steals show

Cape Blanco produced a storming performance to 'Rip' up the script in the Tattersalls Irish Champion Stakes at Leopardstown on Saturday.

Although an Irish Derby winner in his own right and second only to the brilliant Harbinger in the King George at Ascot, the three-year-old was the second string to the Aidan O'Brien bow.

Johnny Murtagh elected to ride Juddmonte International winner Rip Van Winkle, who was facing a rematch with his narrow York victim, the Henry Cecil-trained Twice Over. But everything in the six-runner field had to play second fiddle to Seamie Heffernan's mount.

Setting a scorching pace, Cape Blanco was soon several lengths clear of Sea Lord and the opposition never really got a look in.

O'Brien was going one better than his late, great namesake Vincent in recording a sixth success in the Group One event.

He said: "He's a very good horse and was unbeaten as a two-year-old, we always thought ten furlongs on nice ground would be his best and that's what he had. He's progressing and maturing with every week that goes by. He moves brilliantly and has lots of options now, including the English Champion Stakes and the Breeders' Cup in America."

O'Brien bagged another three other winners on the Leopardstown card, but there was a reverse for the Ballydoyle maestro at Haydock as hot favourite Starspangledbanner could only finish fifth behind Markab in the Betfred Sprint Cup.

The only second seven-year-old to lift this prize after Boldboy in 1977, Henry Candy's charge showed just how far he had come since leaving Freddie Head's stable in France and starting off in this country at Lingfield. He showed plenty of zip to make all and hold the challenge of Lady Of The Desert. Starspangledbanner was only fifth.

A tilt at the Prix de l'Abbaye was mentioned for the winner in the immediate aftermath but it is by no means certain he will head to Paris.