Big Orange is all the rage but who’s the big Goodwood Cup gamble?
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The Goodwood Cup takes centre stage this Thursday with one particular heavyweight well-fancied to secure a memorable double.
Big Orange has already successfully defended his Princess of Wales’s Stakes crown at Newmarket and now another piece of history is firmly in the sights of the Michael Bell-trained charge.
Recent storylines certainly favours the five-year-old. Each of the last 10 winners were priced at 8/1 or below and there have been five winning favourites in the last 10 years.
Given those trends and the jolly’s form it’s understandable to see Big Orange heading the market and in with a chance of emulating 1990s heroes Further Flight and Double Trigger.
However, the flow of money suggests there’s a very real challenger amongst the rest of the field.
Gordon Elliot’s Commissioned is three from four on the level and according to our punters the Queen Alexandra Stakes winner is more than merely a lively outsider.
We know that the top-notch hurdler has the stamina but will he be able to hold off a favourite who knows how to get the job done at this track?
The stakes pouring in suggest the Irish raider is plenty capable of outrunning his odds.
Elsewhere, Group 2 victor Pallasator will need to show signs of improvement from his 12th placing in the Ascot Gold Cup and fourth behind re-opposing rival Sandro Botticelli last time out.
The latter would prefer softer ground but can’t be completely discounted from launching a bold assault while last year’s runner-up Quest for More should be there or thereabouts.
Aidan O’Brien’s Sword Fighter is the final name on our shortlist with the three-time winning trainer’s entrant boasting respectable claims.
Again, faster ground may be a concern for this season’s Queen’s Vase and Curragh Cup winner but with form in the book and a preferable draw it’s not inconceivable to imagine him as the big race hero.
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All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.
