Champion trainer Aidan O'Brien believes his Queen's Vase winner Santiago could be a Gold Cup horse next year.

The three-year old claimed the Group 2 contest at Royal Ascot this afternoon under jockey Ryan Moore, overcoming the challenge of Berkshire Rocco.

Santiago has now been cut to 20/1 for the Epsom Derby and the St Leger but O'Brien feels his colt is well suited for a run in the Gold Cup in twelve months time.

"He's a lovely straightforward horse," the Ballydoyle supremo said after the race. "He travelled well and we always thought he would stay well. He's an easy horse to train and an easy horse to get fit.

"We've been thinking he was an ideal St Leger horse so we'll look for another run somewhere between now and then really.

"I'm not sure he'd run in a Derby as he could be a Cup horse for next year - he'll get better from three to four.

"We've plenty for both Derbys, the Irish Derby would come too quick anyway but we'll see what the lads want to do.

"We think he'll be a horse for the Cup races next year so that is why we thought this race would suit him."