Aiden O’Brien’s Order Of St George is running at a price of even money with Bet365 for the Ascot Gold Cup on Thursday. Order Of St George has been so heavily backed here to go and repeat his success in last year’s edition of the race. But at such a price, will O’Brien’s charge have enough appeal on the day, especially as he was been beaten on this ground by the double-figure priced Simple Verse back in October.
First up though, Aidan O’Brien has won seven of the last eleven editions of the Gold Cup and that is going to be enough for some punters. But there is more than enough meat on the bone in the chasing pack to go and oppose the favourite. Ahead of last year’s run at Ascot, Order Of St George had won four consecutive races before delivering on the big day. His form is nowhere near that this time though, having won only one of his last five and one of those defeats was at Ascot in the Long Distance Cup with SheikhZayedRoad taking the win.
SheikhZayedRoad finished third in last year’s Ascot Gold Cup and if the inconsistencies are there from Order Of St George, then the experience of the eight year old could come into play. But he is eight, the oldest horse in the race and each of the last five renewals of the Ascot Gold Cup have been won by a four year old. But Sheikhzayedroad has come into a bit of form and with the ground set to be quick, that will work in his favour too and isn’t a bad each way punt at all at 11/1 with bet365.
Also representing good each value is Simple Verse who looks good value to get in the frame. Back in October she met up with Order Of St George and took a narrow win over him. So that is potentially more reason to oppose Order Of St George in the race. Sweet Selection is a good price with ratings on the rise thanks to victories at Newmarket and Dubai while Big Orange is going to have a chance at Ascot.
Big Orange enjoyed a very good off-season where he took four tin the Dubai Gold Cup and on his last visit to Britain, he cruised to a win in the Henry II Stakes. There’s value in there and while the field doesn’t look all that deep in terms of quality up against Order Of St George, this is going to be a real battle.
Ascot Gold Cup 2017 Betting Odds
Order Of St George Even Money, Big Orange 8/1, Simple Verse 8/1, Sheikhzayedroad 11/1, Sweet Selection 16/1, Torcedor 16/1, Quest For More 18/1, bar 20/1
Ascot Gold Cup Predictions
Sheikhzayedroad can get in the mix here at big each value and just because he and Simple Verse have gotten the better of Order Of St George before, avoid the favourite at the slim price. With quick ground, Sheikhzayedroad can get there and be just the third eight-year old winner of this race, but look for big each-way value on Sweet Selection.
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