Order Of St George did what was asked of him in winning the Saval Beg Levmoss Stakes for the third year in succession at Leopardstown on Friday evening.
Sent off the 1/10 favourite against four rivals, the 2016 Gold Cup hero travelled nicely behind Renneti in the hands of Ryan Moore, before leading the field into the straight.
Twilight Payment followed him through and proved a willing opponent, refusing to go away, although Moore never had to get serious as Aidan O'Brien's star came home three-quarters of a length to the good, having beaten the same horse 12 months ago.
Sky Bet make the winner 9/4 favourite for the Ascot Gold Cup.
Looking forward to another Royal Ascot bid, Moore said: "I was very happy with him. He's a beautiful horse, and I couldn't have been happier with what he did there. We can look forward to Ascot now.
"This fellow has been there and done it (Gold Cup) and I wouldn't swap him."
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