What they say: trainers on their chances of toppling Big Orange

Qatar Goodwood Cup (Group 1) | 2m | 3yo+ | RUK, ITV

He is arguably the most popular Flat performer in training in Britain, and on Tuesday Big Orange is out to give his fans more to cheer by becoming the first horse to win the Group 1 Qatar Goodwood Cup three years in a row.

But there is much more to Big Orange than his talent alone, and it is all this that has helped establish him as one of the most eagerly anticipated runners of the week.

Personality

We will start with the obvious, he is a mighty big horse. Trainer Michael Bell has lovingly described him as a “good, old fashioned National Hunt type”. He is an imposing individual.

But as well as his size, he is big in personality. He has a big character, a big stride and a big heart when it comes to facing down his opponents, all of which combine to make him so loved.

Style

There is always something captivating about a horse who lays down the gauntlet to his rivals from the moment the stalls open, challenging them from the very start to get by him.

Big Orange will lead and he will stay there for as long as he can, usually finding more to stay in front every time one of his rivals has the temerity to try to get to the past him.

Oli Bell's joy at the victory of Big Orange made compelling televisionCredit: Mark Cranham

The team

We would all love to be involved in a horse with the talent and desire to win that Big Orange has, so it warms the heart to see such enthusiasm from those connected with the horse.

Michael Bell calls the horse his friend, the trainer’s brother Rupert produced a memorable commentary on the horse winning at Royal Ascot and Oli Bell, Michael’s nephew, forgot his role as part of the ITV coverage to sprint on to the track after Big Orange.

And that is even without the tears from groom ‘Taffy’ following that famous win and Tim Gredley, part-owner along with his father Bill, being almost speechless in the aftermath. They appreciate this is a special horse.

Bill and Tim Gredley after the win of Big Orange at Royal AscotCredit: Caroline Norris

What the trainer thinks

Only Double Trigger has won the Goodwood Cup three times, but no horse has won the race in three consecutive years.

With the race being upgraded to a Group 1 as part of an improved stayers' programme, this year’s Goodwood Cup provides the perfect platform for Big Orange to grow the legend.

Bell said: “We’re hoping the ground rides okay. It will have been three days since there was any rain by the time the race arrives, so that should help.

"He’s going in on the crest of a wave and, while it’s never easy to make history, I really hope he does. He’s in good form and has a strong chance on the form book.”

What the trainers of Big Orange's rivals say . . .

James Fanshawe, trainer of Higher Power
He seems in good form and he’ll appreciate any ease there is in the ground. He’s run well at a lower level than this and has experience around Goodwood. He’s really improved for the step up in trip this season and I’d hope he can improve again.

Tim Easterby, trainer of High Jinx
He's in good form and we're getting there with him. The more cut there is the better, but he's in good order and I think he should run okay.

Charlie Johnston, assistant to Mark Johnston, trainer of Oriental Fox
It was fantastic for him to win at Royal Ascot again but he's often come up a step short in these top races and has a bit to find on the principals. If he finished in the first five or six it'd probably be a career-best. The rain will have helped, as he's adaptable regards ground while some others may be inconvenienced.

Sir Mark Prescott, trainer of Pallasator
He was very flat and not himself last time but I think he’s okay now and I think I’ve done enough work with him. He’s not at his best in big fields but he was second in this race last year and has every right to be there again.

Charlie Fellowes, trainer of Prince Of Arran
I thought he ran really well at Ascot and coming around the bend I thought he’d be in the first three or four, but he ran out of petrol. The track, ground, stall, jockey and everything else has a tick by it for him and he seems in top form. Big Orange will be mighty hard to beat, but I’d hope we could be thereabouts if he doesn’t show up for whatever reason.

Charlie Appleby, trainer of Qewy
I was pleased with Qewy’s run at Royal Ascot but the distance of more than two miles and five furlongs stretched his stamina. He will be more in his comfort zone with the two miles of the Goodwood Cup. He likes to be ridden close to the pace and we are fitting cheekpieces to help him keep his concentration, although he is not ungenuine.

David Simcock, trainer of Sheikhzayedroad
He’ll be more at home on this ground than he was on the faster surface at Ascot; it was too quick last time. He’s in great order at home but it’s a very competitive race. As always he’ll be staying on at the end and we’ll see what we can do.

Aidan O’Brien, trainer of US Army Ranger
He ran very well when we stepped him up in distance at Royal Ascot. We've been happy with him since and he's going there in good form.

Willie Mullins, trainer of Wicklow Brave
He seems in good form but it's going to be tough for him. He was fourth in the race a year ago and this looks a stronger renewal. If he can pick up some of the minor money we'll be happy.

Ralph Beckett, trainer of She Is No Lady
I felt it was a very good run at Ascot, and she was a bit further back than we’d planned, so you could upgrade her again. The ground will suit her much better this time.

Hughie Morrison, trainer of Sweet Selection
She's quite a cute mare and we're putting on little narrow-cut blinkers just to give the jockey some help – they're the same we've used with Fun Mac and Pirouette recently. She's got a good draw and is in good form so we'll give it a go.

David Elsworth, trainer of Desert Skyline
He gets a lot of weight as a three-year-old and if you take an optimistic view of his rating and weight allowance then he could run well. We’ll take our chance and I hope he can justify our optimistic view.

John Gosden, trainer of Stradivarius
We hope there isn't too much rain around for Stradivarius as he's a top-of-the-ground horse, as he showed at Ascot. As a Group 2 winner he would have to carry a penalty in anything else, so we thought we'd run him in a race in which he's getting weight off others. After this the plan is the St Leger.

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