France's “Gold Cup” takes place at Chantilly on Saturday, with the keenly-anticipated clash between the Ascot hero Big Orange (GB) (Duke of Marmalade {Ire}) and Vazirabad (Fr) (Manduro {Ger}) in the G1 Qatar Prix du Cadran dependant on the unpredictable forecast. Having beaten Order of St George (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) in Royal Ascot's staying feature June 22, Bill Gredley's 6-year-old was runner-up to Stradivarius (Ire) (Sea the Stars {Ire}) attempting to give the subsequent G1 St Leger third 13 pounds in the Aug. 1 G1 Goodwood Cup which he had won for the previous two years. Big Orange needs the ground better than it currently is, however, and trainer Michael Bell is keeping a keen eye on the weather.
“He's very well in himself. We're just hoping the ground isn't bottomless,” he said. “We'll keep an eye on conditions, but we're very much hoping that he'll run a big race.”
Vazirabad will be a hard rival to beat on home soil, having suffered his sole defeat over extended distances in pattern races in France when second to Quest For More (Ire) (Teofilo {Ire}) in this last year. Successful in the last two renewals of the G1 Prix Royal-Oak at Saint-Cloud, the homebred needs this on his portfolio and the manner of his comeback win in the 15-furlong G3 Prix Gladiateur here Sept. 10 suggests he is at least as good as ever.
“I'm happy with him. When he won his prep race for the Gold Cup he got a little injury and he spent one month just walking, that is why you haven't seen him since,” trainer Alain de Royer-Dupre said. “We had wanted to go to Goodwood and Ascot, but he's ready for the end of the season. He goes on any ground, but he prefers it soft. [Christophe] Soumillon gets on very well with him, they have won 10 group races together. He's a special horse to ride and he looks very well, he's very fresh.”
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