Order Of St George and Stradivarius Clash In Ascot Gold Cup
Order Of St George and Stradivarius are the two star names among 11 confirmations for the Gold Cup at Royal Ascot next Thursday.
Order Of St George provided trainer Aidan O’Brien with a record seventh victory in the two-and-half-mile showpiece in 2016 and was beaten a short head by Big Orange when defending his crown 12 months ago.
Just as he did last season, he has already run in the Vintage Crop Stakes at Navan and the Saval Beg at Leopardstown in preparation for Ascot.
Last years Queen’s Vase winner Stradivarius trained by John Gosden is his main rival.
The four-year-old was beaten a length into third place by Order Of St George in the Long Distance Cup at Ascot last October, but he could be an improved performer this season.
Stablemate Idaho may also run but it will be a big step up in class. The son of Galileo finished fourth behind Cracksman in the Coronation Cup at Epsom earlier this year.
Jessica Harrington’s Torcedor and the Willie Mullins-trained Max Dynamite complete a formidable Irish challenge, while France’s star stayer Vazirabad is set to make his first appearance in Britain.
Credit: Ritesh Jamkhedkar ritesh.jamkhedkar@secretariatsworld.com