Trainer Michael Bell is in confident mood ahead of Big Orange‘s bid for Irish St Leger glory.
Bell says the six-year-old is in fine form ahead of the Curragh showpiece next Sunday, although he concedes softer ground could see him aim Big Orange elsewhere.
Big Orange is rated as the second favourite behind Order Of St George but Bell is confident his charge can bounce back after finishing second to Stradivarius in the Goodwood Cup.
“He’s locked and loaded, as Donald Trump says,” said Bell, as reported by the Racing Post. “He worked very well this morning and we’re keen to go, provided the ground is okay for him.
“I’ve never seen him so tired as after the Goodwood race,” added Bell. “But he bounced back very quickly and has been fine.”
Softer ground could see Big Orange swerve the Irish St Leger but Bell says there are other options.
He said: “If he doesn’t run in the Irish St Leger there are plenty of alternatives. He could run in the Doncaster Cup and then there’s the Cadran and the Qipco British Champions Long Distance Cup, but we’ll be looking for the better ground for him, wherever that is.”
