'He looks the real deal' - Noble Yeats 10-1 for Gold Cup after remarkable win

Saturday: Boylesports Many Clouds Chase, Aintree

Last season's Grand National hero Noble Yeats returned to Aintree to show whether he was a genuine Cheltenham Gold Cup contender – and the answer couldn't have been more emphatic.

Racing on the Mildmay course this time after causing a 50-1 surprise over the famous National fences in April, Noble Yeats disposed of some high-class rivals in stunning fashion, taking off impressively after the second-last to win by three and a quarter lengths.

Such was the manner of victory, the Emmet Mullins-trained seven-year-old was cut across the boards for the Boodles-sponsored Gold Cup, with William Hill going a standout 14-1 (from 40).

Noble Yeats, who was backed into 3-1 (from a high of 7-1 earlier in the day), raced in snatches off a stern pace set by last season's Mildmay Novices' Chase winner Ahoy Senor, but the turbo-chargers kicked in and he finished powerfully under Sean Bowen.

"They went a good gallop and probably softened each other up in front and, luckily, we were there with stamina in abundance to come through and pick up the pieces," said Mullins.

"We were very hopeful coming into today. It was a lovely run at Wexford last time to get us back on track and it's another step up the ladder, and he seems to be progressing all the time."

Mullins has many big-race options to assess for Noble Yeats, who was left in this month's Ladbrokes King George at the latest entry stage earlier in the week.

"Everything's a possibility and we won't rule anything in or out today, and we'll get him home to see how he takes it," he said. "He can be highly strung in the preliminaries, and afterwards as well, but during the race he seems to know what's going on, switches off and does the business."

Betfair Sportsbook shortened Noble Yeats to 6-1 (from 25-1) for the King George and he is also 8-1 (from 12-1) for the Grand National.

Looking to the spring, Mullins said: "We have the option of the Gold Cup and we'll keep options open as long as we can. He's opened the door a bit wider after that and whether we can get our heads through it is another thing. It's still a strong possibility."

Bowen, who was suspended for four days for using his whip in the incorrect place, has come in for the ride on Noble Yeats this season after Sam Waley-Cohen ended his career with a fairytale National win on a horse owned by his father Robert.

What's your opinion, Sean?: Noble Yeats' owner Robert Waley-Cohen debriefs winning rider Sean BowenCredit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

"You can't say you don't miss it when you see it go like that, but it's great to see him running so well for Sean," said the former rider. "I don't think we expected that and he did it really well against some nice horses. He looks like the real deal and we'll have to work out where we go next."

When asked about the possibility of going to the King George, Waley-Cohen added: "It would be great wouldn't it? Dad has always been up for it and the main thing would be to see if the horse is up for it first."

It was always an emotional return to Aintree for Mullins, who said: "I managed to find the same spot in the stands and it was a bit emptier this time around. I seem to have the lucky spot and we'll keep it. It was very special and the horse certainly knew where he was."

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