Royal Ascot 2017 tips: Order Of St George primed to win the Gold Cup

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Jonathan Hunn21 June 2017

Order Of St George looks primed to win back-to-back renewals of the Gold Cup at Royal Ascot on Thursday - the showpiece race on day three of the meeting.

Things have not gone exactly to script for Aidan O’Brien’s top stayer since his decisive triumph last year and some will be wary of backing him at cramped odds because, in the interim, his efforts have included three defeats when the clear favourite.

However, you can make excuses for each of those reverses and he won his prep race at Leopardstown this month in smooth style.

Also, by way of balance, the son of Galileo enhanced his reputation in the autumn by finishing third in the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe - in the process helping his trainer to achieve an historic 1-2-3 in the race.

Favourite: Order Of St George Photo: Alan Crowhurst/Getty Images
Alan Crowhurst/Getty Images

The Arc is more than a mile shorter than the Gold Cup but perfectly illustrated the blend of speed and stamina that Order Of St George possesses.

It is not difficult to imagine him one day emulating Yeats, who gained four successive triumphs (2006-2009) in the Gold Cup for O’Brien. That mighty horse’s exploits in the 2m4f contest are commemorated by a statue in Ascot’s parade ring.

Yeats did not enjoy his first Gold Cup triumph until he was five, whereas Order Of St George was four when gaining his emphatic win 12 months ago. However, O’Brien is reluctant to suggest Order Of St George might one day match Yeats’ achievements.

“We take one race at a time with every horse and don’t get too far ahead of ourselves,” the champion trainer said. “It’s been a case of so far so good this season. I’d say he’s in a similar place to last year.”

THURSDAY'S TIPS

 

2.30pm    McErin
3.05pm    Mirage Dancer
3.40pm    Mori (nap)
4.20pm    Order Of St George
5.00pm    Son Of The Stars
5.35pm    Homesman

Sheikhzayedroad, who was a staying-on third last year, and Simple Verse, the 2015 St Leger winner, may give Order Of St George most trouble.

The main supporting race on the card is the Ribblesdale Stakes, in which the Sir Michael Stoute-trained Mori promises to make a bold bid.

The Frankel-sired hope has won over 1m2f at Ascot and Goodwood on her past two starts, despite looking very much a work in progress. Mori looks like she will relish stepping up to 1m4f and seems sure to run well.

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