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Guide to the Gold Cup, highlight of day three at Royal Ascot

Martin Harley Sheikhzayedroad
Image: Martin Harley and Sheikhzayedroad have formed a good partnership

Order of St George bids for a Gold Cup double when he takes to the track in the highlight of day three at Royal Ascot.

Aidan O'Brien's charge was a runaway winner of the marathon contest 12 months ago but will find underfoot conditions very different than they were for his 2016 victory.

There are plenty of challengers back from that race, and a couple of up and coming stayers for him to take on as well.

Check out our guide to the 14-runner field:

Frankie Dettori riding Big Orange win the Matchbook VIP Henry II Stakes at Sandown
Image: Big Orange could help force a strong pace

BIG ORANGE
Trainer: Michael Bell. Jockey: James Doyle
Form: 030-41

Conditions are absolutely ideal for this likeable front-runner, who impressed in winning the Henry II Stakes at Sandown last time, but staying in front for an extra half-mile is something of a concern. Rating: 7/10

NEARLY CAUGHT
Trainer: Hughie Morrison. Jockey: Adam Kirby
Form: 135-32

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Ran a couple of big races towards the end of the 2016 season but his runs early this year have not been up to that level and he is held by a number of his rivals here. Rating: 4/10

Jockey Ryan Moore, on board Order Of St George, wins the 16.20 Gold Cup In Honour of The Queen's 90th Birthday, during day three of Royal Ascot 2016, at As
Image: Order Of St George in isolation on his way to Gold Cup glory last year

ORDER OF ST GEORGE
Trainer: Aidan O'Brien. Jockey: Ryan Moore
Form: 234-21

Last year's winner and Arc de Triomphe third is favourite because of his leading form claims, but the ground is much different to last year and not sure to be quite as suitable so we will look for some value elsewhere. Rating: 9/10

QUEST FOR MORE
Trainer: Roger Charlton. Jockey: Jamie Spencer
Form: 212-97

Closely matched with my selection in this race on 2016 form, but he appears to run his best races when able to dominate and that will be difficult here with plenty of pace angles. Rating: 5/10

Sheikhzayedroad ridden by Martin Harley (right) wins The QIPCO British Champions Long Distance Cup Race run during the QIPCO British Champions Day at Ascot
Image: Sheikhzayedroad (R) beats Quest For More on Champions Day

SHEIKHZAYEDROAD
Trainer: David Simcock. Jockey: Martin Harley
Form: 311-33

Showed he stayed this marathon trip when third in last year's race and went on to win the big staying race on Champions Day. Has run well on both starts in 2017, the same prep as last summer, and looks sure to run another massive race. Rating: 10/10

TORCEDOR
Trainer: Jessica Harrington. Jockey: Colm O'Donoghue
Form: 570-11

Another possible front-runner who has improved out of all recognition in his first two starts this year, including a win over Order Of St George last time. That was over six furlongs shorter, though, and this will be his first go over this kind of trip. Rating: 6/10

TRIP TO PARIS
Trainer: Ed Dunlop. Jockey: Andrea Atzeni
Form: 343-04

Won this race back in 2015 but that was his last time in the winners enclosure. His two runs this year leave the former champion with plenty to find and he is passed over on this occasion. Rating: 3/10

Harbour Law ridden by George Baker (left) beats Ventura Storm ridden by Silvestre De Sousa (right) to win the Ladbrokes St Leger Stakes during day four of
Image: Harbour Law's biggest win came in the 2016 St Leger

HARBOUR LAW
Trainer: Laura Mongan. Jockey: Jim Crowley
Form: 1241-7

Produced a lifetime best in 2016 when snatching the St Leger on the line and providing his trainer with her biggest career winner. But he flopped badly on seasonal debut at Ascot in May and that takes the shine off his chance over a new trip. Rating: 2/10

HARRISON
Trainer: Mick Channon. Jockey: Graham Lee
Form: 946-14

Has only won one of his 10 tries on turf and based on his run at York last time in a lower grade, he's going to have to find a stone in improvement running over what is an extra six furlongs from that race. Rating: 1/10

PRINCE OF ARRAN
Trainer: Charlie Fellows. Jockey: Tom Queally
Form: 14-352

Impressive winner of a Kempton handicap last November, but that came off a lowly mark of 83, and although he ran well behind Sweet Selection here in May he needs to find plenty more improvement to contend at this lofty level. Rating: 2/10

Endless Time
Image: Endless Time needs to improve for the step up in trip

ENDLESS TIME
Trainer: Charlie Appleby. Jockey: William Buick
Form: 1922-4

Ran a cracking race at Saint-Cloud towards the end of last year over the longest trip she has tried, but this is over another extra half-mile and would need to relish that to contend for anything more than a place. Rating: 4/10

SHE IS NO LADY
Trainer: Ralph Beckett. Jockey: Fran Berry
Form: 1201-3

Well held by Big Orange on Sandown running and would need to improve for this extra trip. That is a possibility but she could also prefer some cut in the ground that won't be on offer on Thursday. Rating: 2/10

Simple Verse, ridden by Andrea Atzeni, (near side) gets the better of Journey under Frankie Dettori
Image: Simple Verse won the Leger in 2015 and has a decent shout

SIMPLE VERSE
Trainer: Ralph Beckett. Jockey: Oisin Murphy
Form: 4713-2

Controversial winner of the 2015 St Leger, awarded to her after a lengthy enquiry that took more than a week to solve. She ran well behind Sheikhzayedroad in her final run of 2016 and on seasonal debut at York. A contender if she stays the extra distance. Rating: 8/10

SWEET SELECTION
Trainer: Hughie Morrison. Jockey: Silvestre de Sousa
Form: 1451-1

Progressive last year, ending up with a victory in the Cesarewitch. Beat three of these rivals when claiming a first Group success in the Sagaro Stakes here in May but appears held by Sheikhzayedroad on 2016 running. Rating: 6/10

VERDICT:

The manner of Order Of St George's win in last year's was undoubtedly eye-catching, but conditions 12 months down the line are much different. They may be fine for him, but could be more suitable for the likes of SHEIKHZAYEDROAD, a quirky stayer who seemed to relish this kind of trip last year. He will come fast and late, and could just turn around the form. Simple Verse should also go very well and at least win the battle of female quartet in the field.

1 SHEIKHZAYEDROAD; 2 Order Of St George; 3 Simple Verse

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