Aidan O’Brien’s staying star and Gr.1 Gold Cup (2016) winner Order of St George bids to regain his crown in the much awaited Royal Ascot feature, The Gold Cup 2018.
The son of Galileo will be going up against triple Gr.1 Dubai Gold Cup winner, Vazirabad. Recently the multiple group winning horse has romped home in the Gr.3 Vantage Crop. He was pipped by Big Orange in a thrilling finish. Order of St George went on to win five of his ensuing six, his lone loss in that span a commendable fourth in the Gr.1 Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe.
The HH Aga Khan owned proven stayer Vazirabad, brings his A game to Ascot for the first time. Alain de Royer Dupre trained-Vazirabad has won both of France’s premier marathons, the Gr.1 Prix Royal-Oak (twice) and the Gr.1 Prix du Cadran as well as the Gr.2 Prix Vicomtesse Vigier earlier in May 2018. He has a record 15 wins and five seconds from 22 starts.
John Gosden charge, Stradivarius showcased his ability in the Gr.2 Queen’s Vase at last year’s Royal meeting. He then dethroned two-time defending champion Big Orange in the Gr.1 Goodwood Cup and he was impressive in the Gr.2 Yorkshire Cup earlier this year. The Dual Melbourne Cup placegetter Max Dynamite, who was fourth in the Gr.2 Yorkshire Cup will be hoping to make his mark at Ascot.
Impressive Torcedor claimed the Gr.3 Sagaro at Ascot with aplomb but he may struggle with the extra distance on the same course. Desert Skyline, on the other hand, may improve on the stretch-out. His signature win came in the longest race of his career so far, the Gr.2 Doncaster Cup. The David Elsworth gelding may be poised for a big effort.
Other interesting horses in the fray is veteran Sheikhzayedroad who was second to Vazirabad in the Dubai Gold Cup (2016) Godolphin’s progressive Gold Star, Further Flight Stakes winner Mount Moriah, who’ll try to turn the tables after a third in the Irish St Leger and Scotland, unplaced in his two Gold Cup attempts before a two-year hiatus from the race.
1st Big Orange (M. Bell,J. Doyle), 2nd Order Of St George (A. O'Brien R. Moore), 3rd Harbour Law (L. Mongan,J. Crowley), 4th She Is No Lady (R. Beckett,F. Berry), 5th Torcedor (M. Harrington,C. O'Donoghue), 6th Sheikhzayedroad (D. Simcock,M. Harley), 7th Sweet Selection (H. Morrison,S. Sousa), 8th Prince Of Arran (C. Fellowes,T. Queally), 9th Nearly Caught (H. Morrison,A. Kirby), 10th Endless Time (C. Appleby,W. Buick ), 11th Harrison (M. Channon,G. Lee), 12th Quest For More (R. Charlton,J. Spencer), 13th Trip To Paris (E. Dunlop,A. Atzeni), 14th Simple Verse (R. Beckett,O. Murphy)
1.Max Dynamite (W. Mullins,W. Buick), 2.Order Of St George (A. O'Brien,R. Moore), 3.Scotland (A. Balding,J. Crowley), 4.Sheikhzayedroad (D. Simcock,M. Harley), 5.Torcedor (M. Harrington,C. O'Donoghue), 6.Vazirabad (A. Royer-Dupre,C. Soumillon), 7.Desert Skyline (D. Elsworth,S. Sousa), 8.Mount Moriah (R. Beckett,H. Bentley), 9.Stradivarius (J. Gosden,F. Dettori)
Distance:2m 3f 210y (4,014 metres), Surface:Turf, Track:Right-handed, Qualification:Four-years-old and up, Weight:9 st 0 lb (4yo);9 st 2 lb (5yo+) Allowances 3 lb for fillies and mares 10 lb for S. Hemisphere 4yo horses, Purse:£400,000 (2017),1st: £226,840
Credit: Pallavi Shevade pallavi.shevade@secretaristworld.com