Royal Ascot 2017: Big Orange wins Gold Cup thriller by a nose

Big Orange repelled the late thrust of defending champion Order Of St George to win the Gold Cup at Royal Ascot.

Trained by Michael Bell and ridden by James Doyle in the absence of the injured Frankie Dettori, the 5-1 shot was towards the head of affairs throughout and showed incredible heart to hold the fast-finishing 5-6 favourite right on the line.

Last year's St Leger hero Harbour Law kept on well for third.

Doyle was positive from the off, disputing the early lead with Quest For More before opting to do it the hard way and attempt to make virtually all the running.

Harbour Law was also noticeably prominent through the early stages, while Ryan Moore put Order Of St George to sleep at the back of the field, giving Big Orange a healthy head start.

Doyle displayed an excellent judgement of pace from the front and was still well in control turning for home, just as Moore started to really stoke up Order Of St George - who had looked in a spot of bother on the turn for home - for his challenge.

Big Orange fended off the run of Harbour Law, before Moore delivered his mount inside the final half-furlong.

It looked as though Big Orange would be swallowed up, but he kept finding for pressure and while the pair got close in the finish, Bell's runner was on top by a short head at the line.

It was another six lengths back to Harbour Law.