BY DANIEL HILL4:03PM 20 MAY 2012

Report: Navan

Vintage Crop Stakes (Listed), 1m6f, 4yo+

FAME AND GLORY made a winning reappearance in the Vintage Crop Stakes, holding off a determined challenge from Unaccompanied to complete back-to-back wins in the race.

Last year’s Ascot Gold Cup winner was weak in the market and was sent off odds-against, but he showed his class under Joseph O’Brien - replacing the suspended Jamie Spencer – in the final furlong and always had the measure of Unaccompanied. Steps To Freedom was third.

Bookies William Hill reacted by shortening Fame And Glory to 2-1 (from 11-4) for him to successfully defend his Gold Cup title on June 21.

Table Mountain led the seven-runner field at a good clip closely tracked by Fame And Glory, before O’Brien opted to take up the running with a mile to run.

Both Unaccompanied and Steps To Freedom ate into his lead entering the home straight, but Fame And Glory had enough reserves to repel the challenges.

Joseph O’Brien said: “The horse was fresh down the back straight. He changed his legs and just took off, but tired in the closing stages. He always needs a run though.”