Big Orange faces big opposition in record-breaking hat-trick bid

The largest Qatar Goodwood Cup field this century is poised to line up on Tuesday when Big Orange will seek to win the Group 1 for a record-breaking third year in a row.

Frankie Dettori, who was injured for Big Orange’s Ascot Gold Cup win last month, takes over in the saddle from James Doyle and will face a maximum of 15 rivals in the two-mile contest which has been moved to the opening day of the meeting and is being run for the first time since its elevation from Group 2 status.

Big Orange was on Sunday a top-priced even-money. Dal Harraild, beaten four lengths in the Hardwicke Stakes at Royal Ascot, is rated the biggest threat at a general 10-1 on his first try at the trip.

The four-year-old was a winner of a handicap at Glorious Goodwood last year and trainer William Haggas said: “It was my mistake we went for the Hardwicke. I got sucked into the excitement of Royal Ascot and we rode him wrong because we knew he’d stay and he wasn’t quick enough. He was progressive last year and he’s still improving.

“The first time I put him up to a mile and six, at York in May, he was impressive, admittedly in a weaker race, but I’m dying to run him over two miles.”

The ground on Sunday was changed to good to soft all over (from good on the round course) after 12mm of rain in 24 hours, but the forecast for the week ahead is predominantly dry.

Haggas said: “I’d like the ground to dry as he is at his most effective on fast ground. Provided it’s not too bad, I think he’ll run a really good race. But we’re all petrified of Big Orange.”

Last year’s Goodwood Cup third Sheikhzayedroad, Simple Verse, Stradivarius, winner of the Queen’s Vase at Royal Ascot, and US Army Ranger, the mount of Ryan Moore, are among the others tasked with causing an upset in the race, which is part of the QIPCO British Champions Series.

The going come Tuesday will also be key for July Cup second Limato, not at his best with give underfoot, who at 7-2 is contesting favouritism with Librisa Breeze for the Group 2 Lennox Stakes for which 15 were declared on Sunday.

Aidan O’Brien, who has won two of the last three runnings of the Group 2 Vintage Stakes with Highland Reel and War Decree, relies on the unbeaten Seahenge, a debut winner at Naas, in Tuesday’s contest in which he faces a maximum of ten rivals and was on Sunday the general 5-2 favourite.

Clerk of the course Seamus Buckley: "It's been a struggle this summer with the dryness and the heat but the recent rain has really helped and we're very pleased with things.

"I would say for the start of the meeting we'll be on the slower side of good. We're forecast a largely dry week with the temperature around 20C."