For the second weekend in a row champion trainer Aidan O'Brien relies on a bear for big race success!
But while bombproof Paddington banged in his sixth success in a row as the short priced favourite for last Saturday’s Coral-Eclipse at Sandown, today the Ballydoyle maestro hopes to field the less consistent Little Big Bear in the July Cup.
There was a time when Little Big Bear looked a monster. This season, though, he has become vulnerable.
So for many this afternoon's Pertemps Network-sponsored feature is D-Day. And this big battle takes place on the back of an interrupted preparation.
Indeed, it’s not even certain Little Big Bear will run after a bruised foot meant he lost six days of crucial work.
O'Brien said: “We're not really going to know how much he has been affected until he runs, that's the problem.
“We have to be happy enough for him to take his chance first and then we won't know until he runs."
O'Brien believes the demands of the July course will play to the strengths of Little Big Bear if he is at the peak of his powers.
And at his best I still feel he’s the most talented runner in what is meant to be a field of nine set to go to post in the Group 1 dash live on ITV.
Little Big Bear was rated 124 and a champion as a youngster, sprinting clear of his rivals to land the Group 1 Phoenix Stakes at the Curragh having also taken the Windsor Castle at Royal Ascot earlier in his campaign.
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However, he missed much of the latter season and returned with a blowout in the 2000 Guineas. Back sprinting at Haydock he took the Sandy Lane in style before being beaten just over a length by the re-opposing Shaquille in the Commonwealth Cup.
Shaquille has been one of the finds of the season for Julie Camacho, and recorded his fifth success on the bounce at the Royal fixture.
It was a quite extraordinary effort, having reared at the start and raced in last before making headway and eventually going on to score going away at the line.
Oisin Murphy was on board that day but he’s suspended so Rossa Ryan takes over this time.
Many will believe – possibly quite rightly – that in a more conventional race Shaquille will confirm the form with Little Big Bear. I just have a feeling the latter was not at his best at Ascot.
Also in today’s line-up is the fast-improving Azure Blue for Michael Dods who looked good in the Clipper at York last time beating Highfield Princess, while any rain that falls will be welcomed by Kinross.
Ralph Beckett’s challenger is the mount of William Buick and was a fine winner of last term’s Champions Sprint at Ascot before a fabulous third in the Breeders’ Cup Mile at Keeneland.
Today’s is dubbed ‘Super Saturday’, but it’s anything but that for those who take their racing seriously and want time to consider what is going on.
With Newmarket, York and Ascot all showing big races that deserve time to breathe – but are given none – it’s hard for many to know where to turn.
Over at Ascot the feature is the Group 2 Fred Cowley MBE Memorial Summer Mile which looks a decent renewal.
MASTER OF THE SEAS has never been the most straight forward but he’s a class act at his best.
The Charlie Appleby runner finished second to Poetic Force in the 2021 2000 Guineas but has been off the track recently since down the field in the Dubai Turf in Meydan. If right he should take a lot of beating under James Doyle.
Meanwhile, at York one of the big betting races of the day is the John Smith’s Cup Handicap over an extended mile and a quarter.
I’ve always been partial to a good serving of scampi, and the racehorse that has that name is a right old character and has a horrible draw.
However, equine SCAMPI remains in good form and stays this distance strong so there is a chance of coming from off the pace once dropped in.
That’s what the Andrew Balding runner did off a mark of 86 here in May.
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He’s now up 6lb but has lots of ability if using it so I’m not worried about the rise in figures. Callum Hutchinson needs to produce a brave ride.
And having your wits about you is what you punters will need today. Good luck!
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