soon settled 4th, ridden into 3rd over 2f out, progress to 2nd final 100 yards, kept on, not trouble winner
soon led, travelled well over 3f out, ridden 1 1/2f out, kept on strongly final furlong
ran 5th, ridden over 2f out, progress to 4th over 1f out, kept on same pace, no threat
raced 3rd, 2nd after 5f, ridden over 3f out, no impression on leader 1f out, dropped to 3rd final 100 yards
towards rear, 6th halfway, 7th 4f out, detached 2 1/2f out, no extra
rear, 7th halfway, 6th 4f out, ridden 2 1/2f out, kept on final furlong to almost snatch 4th on line, never nearer
soon tracked leader in 2nd, 3rd after 5f, under pressure 3f out, ridden in 4th over 2f out, no extra in 5th 1f out
Ascot Gold Cup winner Order Of St George suffered a couple of surprise defeats after that superb victory but his run behind stable companions Found and Highland Reel in the Arc was right out of the top draw. He faces some smart rivals under his penalty and though his overall form should be too much for these he's not unbeatable and doesn't offer value. Not surprisingly Dermot Weld loves a crack at this and Forgotten Rules won the race in 2015 though was well behind the selection in the Irish St Leger later in the season. TWILIGHT PAYMENT has the potential to go to the top of the stayers' tree this year and though well beaten by Torcedor at Leopardstown earlier this month can gain revenge. He was only just over a length behind the selection in the St Leger Trial in August and has the most scope of any of his main rivals so gets a sporting chance to beat the likely hot-pot.
Order Of St George (IRE) 4-6fav (9-7) Held up, in 6th, switched to outside over 2f out, hung right from 2f out, ridden inside final 2f, headway over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong, went never nearer 4th towards finish, not pace to challenge, 4th of 10, 1 1/2l behind Sheikhzayedroad (9-7) at Ascot 2m Grp 2 (1) gd in Oct.
Torcedor (IRE) 8-1 (9-5) Chased leader in 2nd, joined for 2nd brielfy before halfway, improved to lead 4 1/2f out, ridden clear entering straight, stayed on strongly under pressure final furlong, easily, won at Leopardstown 1m 6f sft in Apr beating Twilight Payment (9-11) by 5 1/2l, 7 ran.
Lustrous Light (IRE) 8-1 (9-3) Held up in last, ridden 2 1/2f out, soon no impression, never a factor, last of 5, 7 1/4l behind Air Pilot (9-6) at Naas 1m 2f Grp 3 stks (1) Yielding in Apr.
Twilight Payment (IRE) 11-4 (9-11) Chased leaders in 3rd, 4th halfway, ridden in 3rd entering straight, moderate 3rd 1f out, kept on without threatening winner to go 2nd inside final furlong, 2nd of 7, 5 1/2l behind Torcedor (9-5) at Leopardstown 1m 6f sft in Apr.
Dew Line (IRE) 50-1 (9-0) Led early, tracked leader in 2nd, pushed along approaching straight, ridden in 5th 2f out, no extra final furlong, kept on one pace, last of 7, 7 1/4l behind Zhukova (9-5) at Cork 1m 4f lst fll stks (1) Good - Yielding in Apr.
Morga (IRE) 16-1 (11-1) Raced in 10th early, soon tracked leaders, some slight mistakes, no impression from before last, one pace, 13th of 20, 9 3/4l behind That's A Wrap (10-2) at Leopardstown 2m hcp Yielding in Dec.
Red Stars (IRE) 10-1 (9-3) Towards rear, 6th halfway, ridden 2f out and no impression over 1f out, switched left inside final furlong and kept on, 4th of 7, 4 1/4l behind Zhukova (9-5) at Cork 1m 4f lst fll stks (1) Good - Yielding in Apr.
Forgotten Rules (IRE) 4-5fav (9-5) Led, headed 4 1/2f out, ridden in 2nd entering straight, moderate 2nd 1f out, dropped to 3rd inside final furlong, 3rd of 7, 6 1/4l behind Torcedor (9-5) at Leopardstown 1m 6f sft in Apr.
