Glorious Goodwood 2016: Orange has a Big chance of Cup double
Published:
David Metcalf | July 27, 2016
Big Orange looks tasty in Goodwood Cup
Big Orange scored in terrific style last time out and looks to hold leading claims of landing back-to-back successes in the Group 2 Goodwood Cup over 2m at Goodwood (15.10).
The Michael Bell trained gelding is an ultra-tough front runner who is difficult to pass when on-song, as he showed when beating Quest For More in this contest 12 months ago.
Big Orange looked a sitting duck entering the final furlong but would not be denied and dug deep to score by a neck.
The five-year-old went to to round off the campaign when a cracking 2 1/2 lengths fifth of 24 to Prince Of Penzance in the Melbourne Cup, and looked as good as ever last time out when landing the Group 2 Princess Of Wales’s Stakes over 1m 4f at Newmarket.
Ideal preparation ahead of title defence
Big Orange adopted his usual front running role and, after being three lengths clear entering the final furlong, found plenty to win unchallenged from The Grey Gatsby by 2 1/2 lengths.
It was a cracking effort and the son of Duke Of Marmalade won the same race last year before going on to land this.
Big Orange appears to have been given the perfect preparation by Bell to defend his crown and with Jamie Spencer in the saddle he sets the standard and is the one to beat.
Curbyourenthusiasm and Sword Fighter command plenty of respect
Quest For More, Pallasator and Sheikhzayedroad all finished behind Big Orange in last year’s renewal and it’s hard to make a real case why any of that trio should turn the tables.
The main dangers could therefore prove to be the improving pair of Curbyourenthusiasm and Sword Fighter.
Curbyourenthusiasm is trained by David Simock and showed progressive form last season when winning three of his five races.
The five-year-old comes into the race having posted a career-best on seasonal reappearance when going down by just 1/2 a length to Clever Cookie in the Group 2 Yorkshire Cup, and may well have even more to offer.
Sword Fighter is the sole representative of leading Irish trainer Aidan O’Brien and has won his last two starts in the manner of a young stayer going places.
After landing the Queen’s Vase at Royal Ascot the three-year-old showed a good attitude to beat Landofhopeandglory by two lengths in the Group 2 Curragh Cup.
Sword Fighter receives a handy 17lb weight-for-age allowance from the selection and that makes him a huge threat.
Related
Coral’s top tip: Big Orange has a rock solid profile and can successfully defend his crown. The sole three-year-old in the line-up Sword Fighter rates the biggest danger.
