Big Orange© Photo Healy Racing
Michael Bell is keen to let the dust settle on Big Orange's fine effort in defeat at Meydan on Saturday before committing to future targets.
Winner of the Princess of Wales's Stakes at Newmarket and the Goodwood Cup in the last two seasons, the six-year-old ran another solid race on his first start of the year to finish a close-up fourth in the Dubai Gold Cup.
Bell said: " The ground was a little bit loose and while he was obviously effective on it, we do feel he's a better horse on fast ground. We also had a bit of a blip 48 hours before when he had a temperature so, all things considered, I felt he ran a fantastic race to be beaten just under two lengths."
When asked about plans for the rest of the year, the Newmarket-based trainer said: " I suppose (Royal) Ascot would be on the radar and then you've got the July meeting (at Newmarket) and Goodwood again.
"He showed he retains plenty of enthusiasm and ability and hopefully he'll have another good year."
