Orange ripe for Goodwood test
Bell's five-year-old won the race last year and has continued his good form this season but he faces a tough task against a competitive field including Queen's Vase winner Sword Fighter
MICHAEL BELL is confident Big Orange will put up a staunch defence of his crown in Thursday's Qatar Goodwood Cup.
Just as he did 12 months ago, the five-year-old heads for the Sussex Downs off the back of a front-running victory in the Princess of Wales's Stakes at Newmarket.
He was even more impressive on the July Course three weeks ago than he was last season and Bell feels his imposing gelding - who ran an excellent race to finish fifth in the Melbourne Cup last November - is improving with age.
"Visually it was a career-best at Newmarket last time and the handicapper agrees - he's on a career-high mark now of 117," said the Newmarket handler.
"You could argue he should be a little bit higher on some form lines. It was a good effort and he certainly does not look to have gone backwards.
"He didn't lose much weight and obviously there was no travelling involved. It makes it much easier when you are playing at home.
"We are the highest-rated in the race and he deserves to be favourite provided the rain stays away. He's very effective on fast ground.
"The bigger the horse, the longer they take to fill their frame, just like a human.
"He will probably be at his optimum physically as a six or seven-year-old, but then it's a question of whether the engine is as good.
"He's probably 10 kilos heavier than when winning the race last year, so he is a slightly bigger, stronger-framed horse."
A strong challenge from Ireland is headed by the Aidan O'Brien-trained Sword Fighter.
The master of Ballydoyle won this prize twice with the mighty Yeats (2006 and 2008) and his latest representative is a major contender following recent wins in the Queen's Vase at Royal Ascot and the Curragh Cup.
Kevin Buckley, UK representative for Coolmore, said: "He has come out of the race at the Curragh very well.
"If the ground is good, or good to firm, Colm (O'Donoghue) seems confident that he will handle it."
Commissioned, a talented jumper for John Ferguson last season, made the perfect start for Gordon Elliott when landing the Queen Alexandra Stakes at last month's Royal meeting.
He faces a significant step up in grade for his next assignment, but owner Nick Bradley is confident of a bold show.
He said: "He's all ready to go and Gordon tells me he's in the same form he was pre-Ascot.
"In my opinion this track should suit him a bit better. To my mind his best run over hurdles was at Cartmel, which is a tight, turning track like Goodwood.
"I think the faster ground will suit him better as well and although the competition is probably 10lb higher, we're hopeful.
"When we bought him we thought he was well handicapped, but we haven't even run him in a handicap.
"The original plan was to go for the Ebor, but he's ended up in a conditions race at Ascot and now he's running in a Group Two, so we were half right!"
All-conquering National Hunt trainer Willie Mullins saddles dual-purpose performer Wicklow Brave.
The seven-year-old ran a fantastic race to finish second to Dartmouth in the Ormonde Stakes at Chester in May, but was no match for the same opponent in the Hardwicke Stakes last month.
The trainer's son and assistant, Patrick Mullins, said: "He broke very slowly at Ascot and his race was over in five strides. Maybe we aimed a little too high with him by going for the Hardwicke Stakes over too short a trip.
"His run at Chester was top-class and as he is going up in trip and down in class - we are expecting a big run."
Major contenders for the home team include the Sir Mark Prescott-trained Pallasator, Roger Charlton's Quest For More and David Simcock's pair of Curbyourenthusiasm and Sheikhzayedroad.
Astronereus has been declared a non-runner due to lameness.
