Big Orange produced another determined front-running display to successfully defend his crown in the Group 2 Qatar Goodwood Cup.

Just as he had 12 months ago, Michael Bell's imposing gelding lined up on the Sussex Downs on the back of victory in the Group 2 Princess of Wales's Stakes at Newmarket and he was the 11-4 favourite to strike gold once more in the hands of Jamie Spencer.

A smart start allowed the five-year-old to adopt his customary role at the head of affairs and he steadily wound up the gallop. Spencer was hard at work from two furlongs down, with several horses laying down challenges, but Big Orange refused to yield and galloped all the way to the line to score by a length and a quarter.

The giant Pallasator passed the post in second, just ahead of Sheikhzayedroad, who came home well for third.

Spencer said: "He wears his heart on his sleeve. He's a big strong galloper and he's got stronger since last year and can sustain top speed for longer. I'm not convinced this is his track. On flat tracks he's much better as you can really let him at it, but you have to slow down for the bends here."

Spencer added: "He was tough when it came to it. They came to me at the three and matched me for speed and the last furlong he just outstayed them again. I always wanted to be leading or sat second, but he got on with it and put them to the sword."

Bell was thrilled with the performance but reticent to commit to another Melbourne Cup trip after Big Orange finished fifth in the 'race that stops a nation' last year.

He said: "He's an enormous horse and big horses tend to mature with age. It's a cliche but like a fine wine, he's getting better with age. He's just a star to have in the yard, it's lovely to have him.

"He loves this fast ground and he's got such a high cruising speed, an enormous stride and, touch wood, he's a very sound horse. Bill is not so keen, Tim (Gredley, owners) is very keen, I'd be quite keen but I think we will have to see what weight he's got before we commit.

"There's other possible targets for him like the Canadian International and the Hong Kong race, but there's a lot to be chewed over and we will enjoy doing it. Bear in mind Melbourne is a handicap and if you get a prohibitive weight, there's no point in going."

MEHMAS

The tough-as-teak Mehmas knuckled down to claim victory in the Group 2 Qatar Richmond Stakes at Goodwood. The Acclamation colt was the most battle-hardened horse in the field with five previous runs under his belt, winning three times and filling the runner-up spot twice.

Carrying a penalty for his victory in the Group 2 July Stakes at Newmarket three weeks ago, Richard Hannon's juvenile was always travelling well in the hands of Frankie Dettori, racing alongside the previously unbeaten Blue Point and July Stakes runner-up Intelligence Cross.

As Intelligence Cross dropped away in the final furlong, Mehmas and Blue Point settled down to fight it out and the former's experience edge showed as he got the better of the argument by a neck.

Blue Point, the 5-6 favourite following a stunning display at Doncaster on his second start, was far from disgraced in finishing second and is bound to learn plenty from the experience.

Intelligence Cross was a clear third.

Dettori said: "He really sticks his head out, he's not overly big but he has a big heart to compensate for that. He took it to the favourite and he showed what a tenacious horse he is.

"He's straightforward, he doesn't really bother. He likes a scrap and I took him to a scrap and he came up trumps. He doesn't how to run a bad race, he wears his heart on his sleeve and I'm pleased for Sheikh Joaan, who is here today."

Dettori is still hunting for his 3,000th winner, with this win taking him to 2,995 successes, and the rider admits he is unlikely to achieve the feat at Goodwood this week as previously hoped.

He added: "I had a couple of near misses yesterday, I don't think I will get there this week. I will get there when I get there, it's not important."

RaceBets offer 8-1 about Mehmas for the Dewhurst later this season. Paddy Power go 14s for the Commonwealth Cup next term, but Hannon is eager to hit the target at the highest level this year.

He said: "I just love the horse. He's very tough and he's done nothing wrong all year, and ultimately he's extremely talented. He's a horse that we like, the Sheikh likes him and I love him even more now.

"I think he's going to be utilised this year as a two-year-old. We need to win a Group 1 with him, what we do after that we will have to discuss and wait and see. He can't do any more than he's doing at the moment. We'll probably think about the Morny and the National Stakes.

"He was carrying a 3lb penalty and has been on the go all year. He's not doing much at home, but to give that weight away and still beat them was impressive."

CALIFORNIA

California proved well up to the step up in grade as she claimed top honours in the Markel Insurance Fillies' Stakes at Goodwood.

A comfortable winner of an Ascot handicap three weeks ago, John Gosden's filly was testing the water at Group 3 level for the first time in a race better known as the Lillie Langtry Stakes.

Robert Havlin had the 9-2 chance well-positioned throughout as stable companion Mill Springs adopted a pacesetting role. There were plenty in with chances entering the final furlong, but it was California who saw out the one-mile-six-furlong trip best to score by a length from Tioga Pass.

Favourite Pamona travelled noticeably well for a long way but weakened quickly when coming under pressure.

Havlin said: "We knew she would appreciate the step up in trip. She was staying on well last time and she'd run over a mile and six furlongs before. She's really blossomed in the last month."

Gosden will now look towards the St Leger meeting with the winner. He said: "She's taken a bit of time this spring as it was cold and wet, but she's coming right now and we will head for the Park Hill at Doncaster. She's likes to get her toe in as she's by Azamour so (the rain) wasn't a problem to her."

California could clash again with Tioga Pass at Doncaster. Oliver Cole, son and assistant of trainer Paul, said: "I said before she would run a cracking race and she has. She has run her best race ever.

"She's been training very well at home and I still don't think we've got to the bottom of her yet. I think we will win a listed race with her but I think there is a group race in her and she's getting better with age. We will go for the Park Hill with her and we may find a race in France in between."

Hugo Palmer may look further afield with Twitch in hope of a group-race success. He said: "She's run very well and we are delighted with her. We had the choice between this and the Chalice Stakes at Newmarket. She's already been placed three times in listed races so we thought we'd have a go at this.

"When I lost sight of them, there was a danger I thought she might be last but when she came back into view she'd nearly finished second. I would say she's probably slightly better over a mile and a half, she definitely wants to stay in fillies' company and there are plenty of options both here and abroad for her."

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