‘Colossal’ win for Big Orange
ONLY the very best racehorses can be labelled “colossal” but that seemed just about the perfect description for Big Orange after he landed an Ascot Gold Cup which will live long in the memory.
Few wear their heart on their sleeves more than the Michael Belltrained six-year-old and, after several attempts, he finally gained the Group One victory his talents deserved, serving up a finish of epic proportions having missed the race 12 months ago due to soft ground.
Although Quest For More took the field along through the early stages of the two-and-a-half-mile contest, an inspired James Doyle – standing in for the injured Frankie Dettori – sent his mount into a lead he was not to surrender with a circuit to go.
Turning for home, the 5-1 shot was still well in control of matters as stamina became an issue for many with the exception of Aidan O’Brien’s odds-on favourite Order Of St George who, under a patient Ryan Moore began his charge from the back.
As the pair pulled clear, it looked like last year’s winner was going to repeat the dose but, with one final effort, Big Orange demonstrated the size of his heart and desire to win in getting the verdict by a short head.
Bell said: “He is just an absolute superstar and gives his all. He has a heart as big as himself and I cannot praise his attitude enough. He wants to race and is a colossal racehorse and on fast ground in the height of a summer he is a monster.
“We knew we probably had to do the donkey work but you cannot check his stride pattern.
“We knew Quest For More would try to make it but he was not going fast enough for him.
“He has an enormous stride pattern and you have to let him use it.
“I was very happy throughout the race, I thought James Doyle was in total charge of the situation and I was very happy. I was praying for the winning post.”
He went on: “It is the feature race of the meeting. It is an epic race, we were taking on a very good horse and beating him in a proper horse race. I cannot tell you the pride I have in him. I cannot say any more as I am not a politician!”