3 minute read

Forgotten Rules is set to be prepared for the Irish St Leger following his admirable effort in the Gold Cup at Royal Ascot.

The Dermot Weld-trained five-year-old lost his unbeaten record in Thursday's staying showpiece, but was far from disgraced in finishing a close third behind Trip To Paris.

Weld feels the two-and-a-half-mile distance proved beyond his charge and is keen to bring him back in trip for the Leger, a race he has won seven times.

"He was only cruising off the home turn, but when Pat (Smullen) let him down on the firm ground he changed his legs and lost his stride," Weld told At The Races.

"He'll be back, he's a very high-class horse and the trip was probably just a bridge too far.

"I'd say his next race will be one of the prep races for the Irish St Leger."

Smullen already has one eye on the Long Distance Cup on Champions Day in October, a race Forgotten Rules won last season.

He told Racing UK: "The ground wasn't ideal, he's definitely a horse who's better with a bit more ease in the ground, but to be honest, he never really relaxed in the race with me.

"To go two and a half miles at Group One level and get the distance, you have to get your horse to relax and really switch off and he never really did that with me. He paid the penalty in the last half-furlong.

"I don't think he needs two and a half miles. I think he's probably a real two-mile horse with an ease in the ground.

"The boss was saying after the Irish Leger is an obvious race for him and I think he'd run very well in that, but I think the two miles with an ease in the ground on Champions Day back at Ascot is tailor-made for him."