George warms up for Gold Cup defence with Saval Beg success

The Saval Beg Stakes victory of Order Of St George proved that the pistons beneath his massive bonnet are beginning to sound a familiar hum, as the Aidan O’Brien-trained colt turned the 1m6f Listed event into nothing more than a glorified exercise gallop.

Sent off the 4-11 favourite, Order Of St George settled well in the early part of the race and made his challenge inside the straight, before proving two and a quarter lengths too strong for Twilight Payment in second.

Successful in this race 12 months ago before landing the Ascot Gold Cup, Aidan O’Brien seemed pleased with the colt’s performance and is now concentrating on charting that familiar path towards royal glory.