'Faultless' Kyprios lands Irish St Leger

Kyprios brought up a nap hand of victories this season when staying on stoutly in the Irish St Leger.

Aidan O'Brien 's Galileo colt has been a revelation since stepping up to staying trips. He began his winning run in Listed class at Navan in April before routing the field in a Group 3 at Leopardstown (over this 1m6f distance). He has landed his last two races at the top level in the Gold Cup at Royal Ascot and the Goodwood Cup before contesting this Classic.

He was 4/7 this morning before opening at 10/11 on course and was backed down to 8/11f.

Ryan Moore 's mount was ideally sited in third behind Jason The Militant and Manu Et Corde racing to the final mile in this stamina test.

He took closer order half a mile from home and was given the office to go on entering the straight.

His full sister, and double Irish St Leger winner, Search For A Song looked a danger with two furlongs to go, but it was British-raider Hamish who stayed on into a threatening position racing to the final furlong.

Kyprios refused to yield, though, and ground it out well as he beat Hamish (5/1) by three parts without ever looking in danger. Search For A Song was seven lengths adrift in third at 16/1.

Moore, who was riding a double on the card after winning a Group 2 on Above The Curve said: "He's such a talented racehorse. He's such a pleasure to ride, he's a little bit lazy but there's so much every time you ask him. He'll find a little bit more for you.

"He's a very special stayer. He just does what he has to do.

"He broke well and he just wanted to follow for a bit. I didn't want the race being slowly run, the pace was nice and even, and I was happy where I was.

"I always knew he would keep finding plenty and he has been faultless this year."

Aidan O'Brien said:- “He's very tough. He's very relaxed and is always only in the gear that you want. Ryan gave him a great ride.

“He's a great horse to have. He's obviously a horse that gets a trip but he has a lot of class. He's very relaxed which is a massive help and helps him get the trip.

“He's very brave, very clear winded, a good mover and a great mind. It's just a pleasure to have him.

“It was great that Eva was here to see him today. He's very easy to deal with and it leaves him with a lot of options.

“He was probably extra lazy today and maybe it was the soft ground that made him a little bit more laboured.

“He could go back to a mile-and-a-half but obviously we would love to have him around for the Gold Cup for the coming years because he is a unique horse.”

When asked if he could be tempted to run him in the Arc he added:- “We'll see what happens, what everyone thinks, and see what way the ground is going to be.

“He is only a four-year-old so for a stayer he is very young to have done what he has done already.

“We saw today that he just does the minimum so it's very hard to know how much is in there really.

“He's out of a great mare from a great family and obviously he's by Galileo. He's unique really.”

Additional reporting by Gary Carson