By Daithi Harvey
The G1 Qatar Goodwood Cup on Tuesday, the first Group 1 event of the five-day Glorious Goodwood meeting has assembled a group of 16 stayers. The Michael Bell trained Big Orange (GB) (Duke Of Marmalade {Ire}) heads the field for the two mile contest, run for the first time this year as a Group 1 race, and the 6-year-old will be a warm order to win the race for the third consecutive year. Big Orange has upwards of 5lbs in hand of his rivals that include the likes of 'Cup race' regulars Sheikhzayedroad (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}), Qewy (Ire) (Street Cry {Ire}) and Pallasator (GB) (Motivator {GB}). Two runners represent Ireland and Ballydoyle's hope US Army Ranger (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) suggested he could have a future over marathon trips when third at Royal Ascot while the Willie Mullins trained Wicklow Brave (GB) (Beat Hollow {GB}) comes into the reckoning following his win in the G1 Irish St Leger last year. Mark Johnston is always a trainer to fear at Goodwood and he runs Oriental Fox (Ger) (Lomitas {GB}). John Gosden will saddle the progressive Stradivarius (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}), one of two 3-year-olds in the race along with the David Elsworth trained Desert Skyline (Ire) (Tamayuz {GB}) and is certainly unexposed having had only six runs to date. Wicklow Brave isn't the only Classic winner lining up as G1 St Leger winner Simple Verse (Ire) (Duke of Marmalade {Ire}) bids for her first win since landing the G2 Park Hill S. at Doncaster last year while Ralph Beckett also runs the only other filly in the line up She Is No Lady (GB) (Lope De Vega {Ire}), who outran her 50/1 odds when fourth in the G1 Ascot Gold Cup. James Fanshawe's Higher Power (GB) (Rip Van Winkle {Ire}) earned his slot when winning the Northumberland Plate recently while Dal Harraild (GB) (Champs Elysees {GB}), High Jinx (Ire) (High Chaparral {Ire}), Prince Of Arran (GB) (Shirocco {Ger}) and Sweet Selection (GB) (Stimulation {Ire}) complete the line-up.
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