St George out to join select company with second strike

4.50 Curragh
Comer Group International Irish St Leger (Group 1) | 3yo+ | 1m6f | RTE1/ATR

Order Of St George will bid to become the fifth horse to win more than one running of the Irish St Leger when he faces nine rivals in the final Classic of the Irish season.

Successful in the race two years ago and runner-up 12 months ago, Order Of St George will be attempting to emulate Vintage Crop, Oscar Schindler and Kayf Tara, all of whom were dual winners, and Vinnie Roe, who landed the prize on four occasions.

The Aidan O'Brien-trained five-year-old won the Irish St Leger Trial over course and distance last month for the third consecutive year, and his trainer on Saturday reported the big-race favourite in "good form" for his latest test.

O'Brien said: "Order Of St George has been in good form since winning the trial. We're happy with him and we know that dig in the ground suits him well."

Home of the Brave

A year ago Wicklow Brave and Frankie Dettori stole a march on Order Of St George to provide Willie Mullins with a first Classic success.

The versatile eight-year-old is back to try for a repeat, with Chris Hayes – successful on Voleuse De Coeurs in 2013 – on board.

Mullins said: "It's hard to see him repeating what he did last year, but he seems in good form and will love the ground, the trip and the track."

British challenge

Seamie Heffernan, number two rider at Ballydoyle, teams up with the Sir Michael Stoute-trained Dartmouth, who was beaten a nose in the Lonsdale Cup last time.

Dartmouth (near side) loses out by a nose in the Lonsdale CupCredit: Edward Whitaker

John Warren, racing manager to the Queen, owner of the five-year-old, said on Saturday: "Sir Michael is very happy with his wellbeing and although the ground will be soft, he did cope well on testing going at York this spring.

"He's a remarkable horse who always tries his hardest and perhaps this trip could arguably turn out to be his best. I imagine Her Majesty is very much looking forward to seeing if he is capable of giving Order Of St George a run for his money."

The most recent British-trained winner was Brown Panther in 2014 and joining Dartmouth in a four-strong raiding party are the John Gosden-trained Western Hymn, Mount Moriah and Lord Yeats, who finished out with the washing in the Ebor last time and will be trainer Jedd O'Keeffe's first runner in a Group 1.

O'Keeffe said: "I'm lucky he has very sporting owners. It's a tough assignment but we've nothing to lose. Conditions should suit well and the ground should be fine. He has a good draw and good jockey in Paul Mulrennan.

"The Ebor was always going to be difficult with the way he likes to be ridden, being a fiercely competitive handicap under his big weight and ground on the fast side."

Ralph Beckett, trainer of Mount Moriah, said: "He'll be suited by the return to 14 furlongs and the soft ground. It's a big shout but the track will suit him well."

Does Torcedor have the force?

Torcedor, who beat Order Of St George in the Vintage Crop Stakes early in the season, has his first start since finishing fifth in the Gold Cup at Royal Ascot in June.

Torcedor and Colm O'Donoghue winning the Vintage Crop Stakes at NavanCredit: Caroline Norris

His trainer Jessica Harrington, for whom he has won two of three starts since switching from David Wachman, said: "He really is in super order. He will absolutely love the ground. I hope it all goes well and that he'll give a really good account of himself."

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