Tough Orange powers home from front to set up Gold Cup bid

On a scorching evening in Esher where the mercury was nudging past 25C there was a hot performance on the track too when Big Orange and Frankie Dettori lit up the season's richest evening meeting.

An appreciative crowd dressed for the weather sent them off 4-5 favourite and cheered them all the way back after they treated their public to a textbook front-running display in the Group 3 Matchbook Henry II Stakes.

Double Goodwood Cup winner Big Orange so often saves his best for July and August but this time, with fast conditions to suit, he showed he could have a major say in next month's Gold Cup at Ascot with a dominant display.

In front from the outset, Big Orange and Dettori turned into the straight with his rivals queuing up to pounce, but the more the pair poured on the pressure the further they pulled away. As they crossed the line Dettori raised his hand aloft in celebration and then marked the victory with a flying dismount to wild applause.

"It was so nice the reception he got here," said trainer Michael Bell. "It's heartwarming. These older horses become so popular and the press he gets is fantastic."

Big Orange was cut to 10-1 from 20-1 for the Gold Cup for which, as at Sandown, the ground will be key.

Bell said: "That was a real confidence-booster. He's had some hard races travelling round the world in the last six months. It's nice to come back here and have the race won quite a long way out. It's really teed him up for a good year.

"It's the Ascot Gold Cup next and we pray we get a nice steamy Ascot because he loves the fast ground."

Bell added: "He was declared for the Gold Cup last year but we took him out on the day because of the rain. He just needs summer ground to be at his best. There's no point taking on class horses on ground that doesn't suit him, so we just hope for fast ground.

"He's such a good mover, an enormous horse with a huge stride. He hasn't such a good stride pattern on soft ground."

Dettori was winning for the first time on Big Orange, having inherited the ride from Jamie Spencer, and is expected to be aboard at the royal meeting.

"I think he's a big player in the Gold Cup," Bell continued. "Frankie says he'll run a huge race and is really looking forward to it. On fast ground he's a major player.

"He's Frankie's ride. Bill [Gredley], who is a man of opinion, wanted a change of hands. Him and Frankie used to be next door neighbours and he rides okay!"

Woe betide anyone who decides to take on Big Orange, Bell warned, "He doesn't have to make the running. The last two Goodwood Cups he sat second. If something wants to go in front of him they're probably committing suicide because he has this relentless gallop. If something leads him they're probably not going to stay there."

Dettori said: "It's the third time I've ridden him and I'm beginning to know him. Michael trains him so well to get an older horse like that to keep his enthusiasm."

Result and analysis