QIPCO British Champions Day – Big Orange and Order Of St George head the entries for the QIPCO British Champions Long Distance Cup on October 21
Order Of St George swerved a rematch with Big Orange in the Goodwood Cup but the pair both look to be on course for another thrilling clash at Ascot in October
BIG ORANGE and Order Of St George could lock horns again in the QIPCO British Champions Long Distance Cup on October 21.
Order Of St George was a close second to Big Orange in the Ascot Gold Cup when last seen and skipped a rematch with Michael Bell's stayer on the Sussex Downs.
Big Orange went down fighting that day to finish second to Stradivarius, who also holds an entry in the Long Distance Cup, in the Goodwood Cup last week.
Bell said: "He's having an easy time for two or three weeks now as he lost a lot of weight, he lost 18 kilos and he was a tired horse after Goodwood.
"He ran a fantastic race. I was hugely proud of him and he absolutely gave his all. It was a very tough ask trying to give all that weight away to a three-year-old but he fell on his sword."
O'Brien also revealed plans for Order Of St George.
MOST READ
The Ballydoyle handler said: "The plan with Order Of St George is we might start him off in an Irish Leger trial and then go for the Irish Leger first, but it's definitely a strong possibility he'll go to Ascot.
QIPCO British Champions Day
- The winners of 83 Group 1s and 16 European Classics hold entries for QIPCO British Champions Day where the horses will comepte for a record-breaking £4.26 million in prize money
- Europe’s top 10 horses all entered for Britain’s richest raceday, including top rated horse in Europe, Enable
- 30 French entries, including winners of the French Derby and French Oaks
- Celebrate the end of the Flat season in style and party the night away with a headline act which saw Sigala bring the curtain down on the finale last year
- Tickets can be purchased
"Last year was one of those races that didn't work out for him, but he's a big, hardy individual, physically and mentally.
"He's had a break since he finished second at Ascot but he's perfect and not far away from running again now."
Willie Mullins has entered three, with Max Dynamite, Renneti and Wicklow Brave bidding to give their handler a first Champions Day success.
Other notable entries include 2015 victor, Flying Officer, last year's winner Sheikhzayedroad and Hardwicke Stakes hero, Idaho.
[youtube //www.youtube.com/watch?v=0alB3ucwDtc?rel=0]