By Daithi Harvey
Michael Bell's G2 Dubai Gold Cup hope Big Orange (GB) (Duke Of Marmalade {Ire}) had a minor training interruption after cantering on Monday, but his trainer is optimistic the gelding will be fit to do himself justice at Meydan on Saturday.
“He always has little hiccups and headaches,” Bell said on Monday. “We've had a minor hiccup [this morning], but he should get through that. He should be fine for raceday.”
Big Orange, hero of last year's G1 Ascot Gold Cup will be trying to make it third time lucky on Dubai World Cup night, having finished fourth and second to Vazirabad (Fr) (Manduro {Ger}) in the last two runnings of the Dubai Gold Cup. Bell is keen to take it one challenge at a time with Big Orange who he described as 'a fierce box-walker,' but obvious targets like a defense of his crown at Royal Ascot in June are bound to figure.
“We've got to get Dubai out of the way first,” he said. “We will get Dubai done and dusted and all being well go to Sandown for the Henry II S. and then Ascot for the Gold Cup.”
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