Rip stunned by Blanco

Cape Blanco made all the running to land the Tattersalls Millions Irish Champion Stakes at Leopardstown for trainer Aidan O'Brien.

It was the Ballydoyle handler's sixth success in the Group One feature but came at the expense of the stable's number one Rip Van Winkle, who finished second at a respectable five and a half lengths.

Seamie Heffernan simply ran his rivals into the ground over the mile and a quarter trip aboard the Prix du Jockey Club winner, who had little answer to Harbinger at Ascot last time out.

But Heffernan put his undoubted stamina to good use and kicked on again as they turned into the straight, and it was clear the 6-1 shot was not for stopping.

Rip Van Winkle got up in the shadow of the post to grab second place from Twice Over in a bunch finish for the minor honours.

"He's a very good horse and was unbeaten as a two-year-old, we always thought 10 furlongs on nice ground would be his best and that's what he had," said O'Brien.

"He's a big, strong, powerful horse with loads of speed and class. He's progressing and maturing with every week that goes by.

"He does what he's asked at home but has a very laid-back attitude.

"Rip ran a great race and Johnny (Murtagh) felt the ground had gone a bit slow for him. Rip is a miler that gets 10 furlongs, while Cape Blanco is a 10-furlong horse that gets a mile and a half."

Asked about future plans, he added: "We're open to everything, there's a lot of options.

"Rip won't mind going back to a mile, Cape Blanco could go a mile and a half or stay at 10 furlongs."

Cecil said of Twice Over, narrowly beaten by Rip Van Winkle in the Juddmonte International: "He didn't seem to quite pick up as we expected him to, but he wouldn't have beaten the winner.

"Maybe he is better on faster ground, he had a hard race at York but I thought he was very well and thought he had a great chance, but we wouldn't have beaten the winner today.

"We'll see how he is, the Champion Stakes at Newmarket is still on the agenda and maybe the Dubai World Cup."

Four-timer

The victory was one of four on the day for O'Brien with Lillie Langtry's victory in the Coolmore Fusaichi Pegasus Matron Stakes the other highlight.

It was a close call, however, as 7-2 shot only grabbed Spacious close home after Johnny Murtagh had been happy to settle his mount at the rear of the field.

Kieren Fallon looked to have stolen enough of an advantage on James Fanshawe's gallant mare, but Murtagh had every moved covered and reeled her in by a neck. Music Show was a close third.

O'Brien added: "Johnny gave Lillie Langtry a masterful ride - the filly didn't know she had a race and was only asked to race properly in the last furlong and a half. It was a peach of a ride.

"She had a break after Newmarket. She freshened up very well and we were looking forward to today.

"She is a very determined filly and was always very classy. Her next race will be in the Prix de l'Opera in France. We'll have a look at that."