held up 4th, driven into 2nd over 2f out, ridden 1 1/2f out, no impression on leader, kept on final furlong to close on winner, held
raced 3rd, driven into 2nd entering straight, 3rd over 2f out, soon ridden, no impression, kept on same pace over 1f out
soon led, driven 2f out, ridden to try and assert over 1f out, kept on best final furlong, reduced advantage closing stages
soon tracked leader in 2nd, driven over 3f out, dropped to 3rd entering straight, ridden in 4th over 2f out, detached 1 1/2f out, kept on same pace
Aidan O’Brien made a clean sweep of the Group One races on last year’s card and if the two previous contests went to plan, he’ll be confident of repeating that feat as ORDER OF ST GEORGE won this last year. The latter has improved further this season winning all three starts with the highlight being a convincing win in the Ascot Gold Cup and he’ll start a short-price for this. Trip To Paris - now tried in blinkers - won the Gold Cup at Ascot last year and was fancied to get back on track in the Lonsdale Cup at York last month but never threatened and finished behind third-placed Wicklow Brave. The latter was also a well-beaten third in last year’s renewal while Unicorn looks set to ensure a decent pace for the selection and Kellstorm and Silwana will be fighting it out for the remaining prize money.
Order Of St George (IRE) 2-11fav (10-0) Held up in 4th, headway on outer into 3rd 2f out, pushed along and led 1 1/2f out, stayed on well under hands and heels final furlong, comfortably, won at Curragh 1m 6f Grp 3 stks (1) gd in Aug beating Twilight Payment (8-11) by 1 1/2l, 5 ran.
Trip To Paris (IRE) 10-3fav (9-3) Held up in 3rd, pushed along 4f out, ridden and lost 3rd over 2f out, weakened inside final 2f, 4th of 7, 7l behind Quest For More (9-3) at York 2m Grp 2 (1) gd in Aug.
Wicklow Brave 6-1 (9-3) Took keen hold early, held up off the pace in 6th, smooth headway into 4th over 3f out, 3rd over 2f out, ridden disputing 2nd over 1f out, run flattened out inside final furlong, plugged on same pace in 3rd, 3rd of 7, 3 3/4l behind Quest For More (9-3) at York 2m Grp 2 (1) gd in Aug.
Silwana (IRE) 7-1 (9-3) Edged left out of stalls, chased leader, under pressure over 3f out, 4th and no impression 2f out, dropped to last 1f out, eased closing stages, last of 5, 18 1/4l behind Order Of St George (9-12) at Leopardstown 1m 6f lst stks (1) gf in Jun.
Kellstorm (IRE) 6-1 (9-4) Held up towards rear, ridden over 2f out, never dangerous, 9th of 13, 19 3/4l behind Wall of Fire (9-6) at York 1m 6f hcp stks (2) gd in Aug.
Unicorn (IRE) 14-1 (9-7) Held up behind, headway over 2f out, ridden and kept on inside final furlong, 3rd of 13, 4l behind Wall of Fire (9-6) at York 1m 6f hcp stks (2) gd in Aug.
