Nostalgia Trip

While it lacks the commercial clout of several of this meeting's pattern races, Thursday's G2 Qatar Goodwood Cup remains a race of prestige that is sought after, particularly by the Dunlop family whose patriarch John trained at nearby Arundel. Son Ed is in prime position this year to emulate his father's two wins with the G1 Gold Cup hero Trip To Paris (Ire) (Champs Elysees {GB}), who is forced to race under a four-pound penalty as a result of his victory in the Royal meeting's marathon feature June 18. “I am a Sussex boy and I like to target my horses at this meeting,” his trainer said. “Goodwood is a beautiful place with great racing and a great atmosphere. It was an amazing day when Ouija Board won the Nassau S. in 2006. Of course she won races all over the world, but it was an important victory for me. Growing up, we used to go to Goodwood whenever we could and had people staying over for the week and even though I am now up in Newmarket, Goodwood is still very special.” Of his big hope this year, Dunlop added, “Trip To Paris has been absolutely fine and dandy since Ascot. We gave him a little break after the Gold Cup, then brought him back into work two and a half weeks ago and it's all systems go. I have been surprised with his progress this year. He does not look like a horse that has run six times in the last four months. He's been very fresh in the mornings of late and certainly doesn't look tired.”

Two pretenders with as-yet unproven ability in these “Cup” races are Quest For More (Ire) (Teofilo {Ire}) and Big Orange (GB) (Duke of Marmalade {Ire}), with the former untested in black-type company but coming here on the back of a win in the two-mile Northumberland Plate H. at Newcastle June 27. Trainer Roger Charlton said, “It was a good performance in the Northumberland Plate and he seems to be physically stronger this year. This is obviously a big step going from a handicap to a Group 2, but he is tough and game and has a bit of form around Goodwood this year. It will be hard to beat the Gold Cup winner, but our horse deserves to take his chance.”

Big Orange has been campaigned over staying trips, but it was when dropped back to 12 furlongs last time that he registered a career-best win in Newmarket's G2 Princess of Wales's S. July 9. His conditioner, Michael Bell, said, “He's effective on good ground or faster and it looks as though everything is coming right for him, which is great. He seems in really good form. He hasn't done a whole lot of work since his last run, but he's fit and well and enthusiastic and on his game. It was a nice surprise to see him win at Newmarket, mainly because we always thought he wanted further. On the book, he's the best horse in this race and hopefully he can prove he is over two miles.”