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22 Apr 2018

Order Of St George wins easily on Navan return

Order of St George

Order Of St George won by more than five lengths on his reappearance. Picture: Racingfotos.com

Order Of St George was not extended to beat two inferior rivals on his return in the Vintage Crop Stakes at Navan on Sunday.

The dual QIPCO British Champions Series winner – he won the 2016 Gold Cup and the Long Distance Cup on Champions Day last year – was sent off at 2-9 and his supporters had few anxious moments as he landed the Group Three contest over a mile and three-quarters.

British raider Lord Yeats, trained by Jedd O’Keeffe, set out to make it a true test and Paul Mulrennan upped the tempo when they turned for home. However, Ryan Moore was wise to the move and eased Order Of St George towards the middle of the course to make his challenge.

Leading at the furlong marker, Aidan O’Brien‘s charge pulled away to score by five and a half lengths.

“I’m delighted with him, and hopefully he’ll go for the Saval Beg (at Leopardstown on May 25) which is what we usually do and then on to Ascot (for the Gold Cup),” O’Brien said.

“He finishes out very well when he gets into his tempo, and he gallops up the hill. Ryan said he was very relaxed and moved very well. They would be the two things that you would love to hear.

“We were looking forward to getting him started, he was well ready to start and will hopefully progress on to the next one. He was in a nice place.”

Paddy Power left Order Of St George unchanged at 7-2 for the Gold Cup. Last year he lost his crown by a short head to Big Orange.