Rules on course for Ascot

Forgotten Rules hardened as favourite for next month’s Ascot Gold Cup following his gutsy defeat of Answered in the Group 3 Coolmore Vintage Crop Stakes, feature of yesterday’s action in Navan.

The Dermot Weld-trained five-year-old, sent off at 8/11, had to battle hard to retain his unbeaten record after a titanic tussle with his market rival through the last two furlongs.

Pat Smullen’s mount, essentially, outstayed his rival in the final furlong to triumph by a length and a quarter, with longtime leader Sir Ector almost five lengths back in third.