Big Orange and St George teed up for another battle royale

Big Orange is ready for a stayers' title showdown with Order Of St George at the Curragh next Sunday with the last two Ascot Gold Cup winners on course for the Irish St Leger.

The pair brought the Royal Ascot house down with their pulsating duel up the home straight in the Gold Cup, with Big Orange foiling the Coolmore stayer's bid for a repeat victory.

Paddy Power make Order Of St George their red-hot favourite at 4-6 to gain his revenge, with Big Orange second best at 5-1.

The British hope's trainer Michael Bell is waiting for the weather to play its part to commit Bill and Tim Gredley's popular stayer to the Comer Group International-sponsored Group 1 over 1m6f.

"He's locked and loaded, as Donald Trump says," said Bell. "He worked very well this morning and we're keen to go, provided the ground is okay for him."

'He bounced back quickly'

The Big Orange team want to avoid another war of attrition on softer ground after the six-year-old was defeated by three-year-old Stradivarius in his bid for a Goodwood Cup hat-trick.

"I've never seen him so tired as after the Goodwood race," added Bell. "But he bounced back very quickly and has been fine."

Bell confirmed the Melbourne Cup was never on the radar after Big Orange's Ascot triumph and he was never nominated for the Australia trip.

"If he doesn't run in the Irish St Leger there are plenty of alternatives. He could run in the Doncaster Cup and then there's the Cadran and the Qipco British Champions Long Distance Cup, but we'll be looking for the better ground for him, wherever that is."

Aidan O'Brien, reporting Order Of St George in good shape, said: "Obviously, he hasn't done much since winning at the Curragh the last day but he seems in good form.

"He had a little break after Ascot and we were delighted with how well he won at the Curragh on his first run back. We're hoping he'll run in the Irish St Leger now and we're happy with him."

Brendan Sheridan, clerk of the course of the Curragh, said: "I'm very happy with the state of the ground and there will be fresh ground in use.

"We will know a lot more on Monday as there rain forecast for tonight [Saturday] and tomorrow. It depends on how much we get. There is an unsettled forecast for the week ahead."