Yeats defended his Ascot Gold Cup in spectacular fashion on Ladies' Day at Royal Ascot on Thursday.

Jockey Mick Kinane produced the 8-13 favourite as the field entered the home straight and they beat off the late challenge of Geordieland (12-1).

The 50-1 outsider Le Miracle finished third with second favourite Sergeant Cecil trailing home in last place.

Aidan O'Brien's stayer won by a length and a half with Le Miracle three and a half lengths back in third.

The six-year-old Yeats becomes the 10th horse to win the Gold Cup more than once.

O'Brien said: "We are absolutely delighted. He was a lot heavier today than he has ever been, but he has been much pacier in his work and in his races than he has ever been.

"Mick did the right thing on him and rode him with a lot of confidence.

"Seamus (Heffernan) said in his first two races this season he had won in a matter of strides and that is what he did today."

French raider Lord du Sud made all the early running from Tungsten Strike and The Last Drop with Yeats sitting towards the back of the field for one and a half laps.

Kinane inched his mount forward at the five furlong pole and when they turned for home he pressed the button, cruising easily to the front.

Jamie Spencer and Geordieland made a strong late bid but Yeats responded to win going away.

Kinane said: "He settled beautifully and I decided to make my move as none of the French horses were going as well as me.

"I went outside to take up a nice prominent position and I knew my fellow would take three or four lengths out of anything behind me.

"He's developing into a nice individual, he's matured, he's far better now and he enjoys his racing."

Asked about the Melbourne Cup, O'Brien continued: "All those races are open to him, but it will be discussed with the owners.

"We would love to come back and win it (the Gold Cup) for a third time. Hopefully, we will be here."

Spencer said: "My fellow has run a fabulous race. He's got a massive turn of foot for a stayer and if we can dodge Yeats he can pick up a big one later in the year."

Sergeant Cecil's rider Jimmy Fortune said: "There was no problem, I just think he ran a flat race."

Yeats defended his Ascot Gold Cup on Ladies' Day, the third day of the Royal meeting at the Berkshire course.

Jockey Mick Kinane produced Aidan O'Brien's star as the field entered the home straight and they beat off the late challenge of Geordieland and Le Miracle, with the popular Sergeant Cecil trailing home in last place.

Zaham won the Hampton Court Stakes, with Eddie Jock clinching the Britannia Stakes.

Earlier, Silkwood downed hot favourite All My Loving in the Ribblesdale Stakes for fillies and Winker Watson won the opening Group 2 Norfolk Stakes under jockey Jimmy Fortune.

1730: King George V Stakes (3YO, 1m 4f)
1 Heron Bay (S Drowne) 20-1
2 Filios (L Dettori) 6-1
3 Walking Talking (R Hughes) 12-1
4 Eradicate (K Darley) 9-2 Fav
19 ran

1705: Hampton Court Stakes (3YO, 1m 2f)
1 Zaham (R Hills) 7-2 fav
2 Al Shemali (R Moore) 6-1
3 Desert Dew (M Hills) 8-1
14 ran

1628: Britannia Stakes (3YO, 1m)
1 Eddie Jock (J Murtagh) 33-1
2 Ea (R Moore) 16-1
3 St Philip (S Sanders) 33-1
4 Artimino (J Spencer) 4-1 fav
30 ran

1545: Gold Cup (Group 1, 2m 4f)
1 Yeats (M Kinane) 8-13 fav
2 Geordieland (J Spencer) 12-1
3 Le Miracle (D Boeuf) 50-1
14 ran

1508: Ribblesdale Stakes (Fillies' Group 2, 3YO, 1m 4f)
1 Silkwood (P Robinson) 4-1
2 All My Loving (M Kinane) 15-8 fav
3 Dalvina (J Spencer) 8-1
12 ran

1437: Norfolk Stakes (Group 2, 2YO, 5f)
1 Winker Watson (J Fortune) 2-1 fav
2 Art Advisor (S Sanders) 14-1
3 Spirit of Shajah (K McEvoy) 9-2
11 ran