Cape Blanco’s stablemates Midas Touch and Jan Vermeer followed him home. Cape Blanco had finished in front of Workforce in the Dante at York before flopping in the French Derby at Chantilly, but showed that French form to be all wrong, getting the better of Midas Touch inside the final quarter of a mile for a half-length success.
The Mark Johnston-trained Monterosso, who was sent off the 3-1 favourite, kept on for fourth having been one of the first of the principals to be niggled along. O’Brien said: “Johnny gave him a brilliant ride.
Last time out in France was a blip and we just couldn’t understand it.
“Maybe it was the travel. It was his first day away and something upset him and he wasn’t the horse we know. He left that behind today and showed all the courage and class we know he has. This is great for everybody and I’m delighted to be part of it.”
William Hill were quick to price up a King George re-match with Workforce their favourite at 4-9 and Cape Blanco a 13-8 chance.