Orthodox returns from Prix Morny loss

Orthodox bounced back from his Prix Morny defeat to strike at the highest level for the first time in the Tattersalls Middle Park Stakes at Newmarket.

Force Noir challenges in final stretch

Force Noir cut out the early running as he set a sharp pace at the head of field, but Rossa Ryan put down his challenge early and asked Orthodox for an effort at the three-furlong marker.

Orthodox edges victory by neck

The Clive Cox-trained 7-2 chance was pushed all the way to the line by Robson De Aguiar's Force Noir at a big price and just prevailed by a neck, with favourite Inner City Blues never getting into it.

Cox praises Orthodox's performance

Cox said: "We always had confidence in him and it was always a question of would he handle the track with the quicker ground a bonus for this time of year."

“We always had confidence in him and it was always a question of would he handle the track with the quicker ground a bonus for this time of year.”

Cox highlights Orthodox's versatility

Cox said: "Sometimes it is not as quick as this and I'm just thrilled he has shown what we all see at home, as he is pretty special in the mornings and he's special in the afternoons as well. He's tough and very able and it was a big team effort to get him here and I'm over the moon."

“Sometimes it is not as quick as this and I'm just thrilled he has shown what we all see at home, as he is pretty special in the mornings and he's special in the afternoons as well. He's tough and very able and it was a big team effort to get him here and I'm over the moon.”

Cox notes Orthodox's future plans

Cox said: "I think he got away with the track and Rossa was supreme the way he coaxed him through the dip and then set sail after that. I thought it was a supreme ride and I'm thrilled. Rossa is a regular in the mornings and knows exactly what he's riding and what he's up against as well."

“I think he got away with the track and Rossa was supreme the way he coaxed him through the dip and then set sail after that. I thought it was a supreme ride and I'm thrilled. Rossa is a regular in the mornings and knows exactly what he's riding and what he's up against as well.”

Orthodox's breeding background

Cox said: "I know his family really well and his aunt won the Queen Mary for us (Heartache)."

“I know his family really well and his aunt won the Queen Mary for us (Heartache).”

Orthodox's potential for Breeders' Cup

With his future clearly lying in the sprint division in which Cox regularly thrives, Orthodox was handed a quote of 12-1 by Ladbrokes and Coral for next year's Commonwealth Cup at the Royal meeting.

Breeders' Cup trip discussed

However, before that a trip to America for the Breeders' Cup will be discussed by connections.