AND THAT’S AN ORDER
George can help O’brien dominate
ORDER OF ST GEORGE can spearhead a Group 1 treble for Aidan O’brien by landing the Comer Group International Irish St Leger at the Curragh this afternoon.
The top-class stayer was shocked at odds of 1/7 when bidding for a repeat success in this race last year.
However, he looks a class apart from his rivals this time around and the slow ground is ideal for the five-year-old.
Last year’s Arc de Triomphe third came up just short in his quest for a second Ascot Gold Cup victory in June, but he lost nothing in defeat that day.
He then returned to action with a commanding victory in last month’s St Leger Trial where he readily accounted for a decent field.
It will be another major surprise if he meets with defeat today and he can deal with old rival Torcedor.
In the Goffs Vincent O’brien National Stakes, the O’brien-trained Gustav Klimt gets the vote.
He appealed as a potentially top drawer juvenile when winning his maiden over this course and distance two months ago. The Galileo colt then followed up in the Group 2 Superlative Stakes at Newmarket where he did well to overcome trouble in running.
He looks every inch a Group 1 colt, which earns him the vote over Gordon Elliott’s star two-year-old Beckford.
The race of the day is a vintage edition of the Moyglare Stakes, where O’brien sends five quality fillies into battle.
Churchill’s sister Clemmie is the mount of Ryan Moore as she looks to add this race to Group 2 and Group 3 triumphs during the summer.
Quicker ground would suit her better and so Magical is the choice. She relished the slow ground when making all to beating Happily and September in last month’s Debutante Stakes.
In the Blandford Stakes, a chance is taken on Sea Of Grace, who was second in the French 1000 Guineas earlier this season and won well at Haydock.
In the Flying Five, Caravaggio bids to get his season back on track, but he might have to give best to the speedy English raider Caspian Prince.
The handicaps look tricky, but Tithonus is a solid option in the opener, while Jet Streaming can make her light weight count in the last.