Mighty stayers go to war in Ascot Gold Cup

Order Of St George, Stradivarius and Vazirabad are among the elite stayers set to scrap it out in the Gold Cup, the marathon test today on the third day of Royal Ascot.

Order Of St George gave trainer Aidan O’Brien a record seventh victory in this race in 2016 and was beaten a short head by Big Orange when defending his crown 12 months ago.

“We are as happy with him going into the Gold Cup as in any of the other years he has gone there,” said O’Brien.

The horse regarded as Order Of St George’s biggest threat is fouryear-old Stradivarius.

John Gosden’s charge won the Queen’s Vase at last year’s Royal meeting. He was then beaten a length into third by Order Of St George in the Long Distance Cup at Ascot in October, but a winning return in last month’s Yorkshire Cup suggested an improved performer this season.

“He’s in great nick and he has come out of his win at York very well,” said Gosden. ‘‘It will be a helluva test – the two and a half miles [4000m]. Beyond two miles is uncharted territory.

“We are hopeful he’ll get the trip. If he doesn’t, we will go to a Goodwood Cup and prepare for a Melbourne Cup.”

Jessica Harrington’s Torcedor and the Willie Mullins-trained Max Dynamite complete a formidable Irish challenge, while France’s star Vazirabad makes his first appearance in Britain.

A big winner in Dubai this year, Vazirabad was also successful in France on his latest appearance and trainer Alain de Royer-Dupre knows what it takes to win at Royal Ascot.

He said: “He had an easy comeback run and I think there’s more to come for the Gold Cup.”

Today’s Ascot card: 15:30 (BST) Norfolk Stakes (Group 2) 1000m

16:05 Hampton Court Stakes (Group 3) 2000m

16:40 Ribblesdale (Group 2) 2400m 17:20 Gold Cup (Group 1) 4000m 18:00 Britannia Stakes 1600m 18:35 King George V Stakes 2400m Stakes