Glorious Goodwood

Smart Call scratched from her race but Same Jurisdiction entered on Friday

Big Orange at evens must be best bet of the week at Goodwood.

I have been to the July, the Met, Royal Ascot and the Dubai Cup. For me Gloriuos Goodwood is the best racemeeting in the world

Oh the Sussex downs on a sunny English summers day...

Took some 7/2 Limato. Drop in class and lethal over 7f on good ground..

Big Orange
Everything you need to know about Goodwood Cup favourite Big Orange
BY PETER SCARGILL8:00PM 31 JUL 2017
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 (3.35) 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.

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.

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."

Yes it has to be the BIG ORANGE all the way today and evens is ok for me

Librisa Breeze won twice at Ascot last year, and ran a good 4th on season debut. At 5/1 worth a bet imho

I'm not saying Big Orange can't win, but evens is a very poor price in such a competitive heat. I like Sheikhzayedroad E/W @12/1. Wasn't beaten far by Big Orange when third in this last year and his run in the Gold Cup after a spell in Dubai should have put him spot on for today.

chicken n chips wrote: Librisa Breeze won twice at Ascot last year, and ran a good 4th on season debut. At 5/1 worth a bet imho

Like strongly as well only has the bad draw to overcome

Day 1

Race 2 - Seahenge 5/2 - AOB great record in this as of late with the likes of War Decree and Highland reel winning this. Seahenge made a nice debut as we all know AOB horses hardly win on debut so encouraging and will come on leaps and bounds.

Race 3 - Limato 7/2 - Expect him to go very close today. Cracking run in a very strong July Cup and back to 7 furlong could be the trick.

Race 4 - US Army Ranger 10/1, Stradivarius 11/1 - BIG orange should win this but too short for me at evens especially after a gruelling Gold Cup win. 2 e/w's will do for me.

Impressive by Expert Eye.

channel 208 for uninterrupted coverage of glorious goodwood