Big Orange 'best he has ever looked' and on course for Dubai Gold Cup Michael Bell breathed a sigh of relief after putting Dubai Gold Cup challenger Big Orange through his paces on the Meydan training track on Thursday morning. One of the most popular horses trained in Britain, Big Orange was found to be setfast after working on Monday morning, demanding that he remained in his box the following day. But after a steady canter on Wednesday and a proper workout 24 hours later, when also watched by owners Bill and Tim Gredley, the Ascot Gold Cup hero is all set to run. Bell said: "Seeing him work was a heartening sight. Then during the hour afterwards we were concerned the setfast might come back again, but he came back to the barn very, very well. "It's a relief. It's stressful enough having runners in big races without added stress." Bell heaped praise on his staff and especially Gillian Dolman, who travelled the horse. He added: "I'm very lucky that Gillian is very experienced. But in terms of condition the horse is the best he has ever looked. We might do very little with him tomorrow. "He didn't do too much today, is great in his skin and has eaten everything. He loves the sun on his back and fast ground." Charlie Appleby has a strong twin spearhead for the Gold Cup with Rare Rhythm and Frontiersman. Royal Ascot winner Rare Rhythm looked at the top of his game in a 10-furlong spin at Marmoom stables. "He's had a series of annoying injuries and that's a shame because we've always thought a lot of him," said Appleby. "He beat Vazirabad last time and will come on for that. He's a lovely-looking horse and I would love to see him do himself justice on Saturday." With Frontiersman, Appleby has to hope the beautifully-bred son of Dubawi and Ouija Board will see out the two-mile distance. He added: "He had a little blow-out this morning on our dirt track and I hope he is still improving and has a good chance. "His run at Wolverhampton was messy, but it was a goof effort against Hawkbill last time and since then he's trained well."
