O’Brien delighted with Little Big Bear ahead of Commonwealth Cup

Little Big Bear, last year’s champion two-year-old but a Classic disappointment last month, looms over his 13 rivals back in the winning sprint groove for the Commonwealth Cup, which forms part of the QIPCO British Champions Series.

The Cup already has a place in racing history as the first new race to go straight to Group 1 status and to be confined to three-year-olds when inaugurated in 2015.

Many renewals have lived up to this status with the first winner Muhaarar setting a high bar by going on to win the July Cup, Prix Maurice de Gheest and QIPCO British Champions Sprint to be crowned best in Europe.

Little Big Bear looks to have the credentials to add to the legacy, having excelled at two, highlighted by his seven-length romp in the Phoenix Stakes when he left Tuesday’s King’s Stand Stakes winner Bradsell trailing.

His trainer Aidan O’Brien became the winning-most trainer in Royal Ascot history with a double on Tuesday to overtake Sir Michael Stoute and there was no hiding the Ballydoyle trainer’s regard for Little Big Bear.

The son of No Nay Never shook off finishing last in the QIPCO 2000 Guineas with a winning return to sprinting just three weeks later in the Group 2 Sandy Lane at Haydock last month.

“I’ve been delighted with him since the QIPCO 2000 Guineas,” said O’Brien.

“He did everything right on his first run back after running a mile in the Guineas. I was delighted with the way he ran at Haydock and he has trained well since.”

Richard Hannon is not ducking a rematch with Little Big Bear and feels he has grounds for optimism that Middleham Park Racing’s runner-up Shouldvebeenaring can overturn the form.

“He’s a very good and tough horse in the form of his life and did a very good piece of work last Friday,” said Hannon of his King Charles II Stakes winner previously.

“I thought we travelled better than Little Big Bear into the final furlong at Haydock but he was on what was a golden highway on the day and we had to switch to the middle otherwise it could have been a different result.”

Sakheer finished ahead of Little Big Bear in the QIPCO 2000 Guineas and his rider David Egan is looking forward to the rematch.

“He was the last horse off the bridle for me and it was a brave effort. I couldn’t be more pleased with his final piece of work and he’ll be more in his comfort zone back at six furlongs.”

Lezoo, last year’s Cheveley Park winner, was another who found a mile at Newmarket beyond her stamina in the QIPCO 1000 Guineas.

Trainer Ralph Beckett said: “She’s in good shape. I’m very happy with the way she is training and she has done well since not getting the trip at Newmarket.”

Ocean Quest is another looking to become the third filly to win this Group 1 after Quiet Reflection in 2016 and American sprinter Campanelle two years later.

Ocean Quest was just beaten by O’Brien’s The Antarctic in the Group 3 Goffs Lacken Stakes at Naas last month.

Harrington said: “She was unlucky at Naas, drawn on the wrong side, and she had to do everything on her own and still would have won in another two strides. She is a smashing filly who has done well since the beginning of the year.”

Shaquille is seeking a five-timer, moving through the grades from an all-weather winter campaign to blossoming in the Listed Caernarfon Stakes at Newbury last month.

Steve Brown, husband of trainer Julie Camacho, said: “His preparation has gone smoothly and he’s in good form. He has progressed with every run. Others have more compulsive form than we have but we don’t want to go there making up the numbers.

“He is a quality horse and the biggest concern will be pre-race where he can get worked up. He has got progressively better though but will still be late into the parade ring and will go down early.”

Manaccan missing the King’s Stand on Tuesday with heat in his leg was a big blow for trainer John Ryan but he hopes outsider The X O can outrun his odds.

The Newmarket trainer said: “We looked at the Jersey over seven as he did his best work at the end over six furlongs last time at Ascot. But in the top class at Ascot you need to get every yard. It’s a step up in grade but the horse is getting stronger and isn’t the finished article.”

Charlie Appleby, with Gimcrack winner Noble Style and Mischief Magic, successful in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf last year, and Karl Burke, with Cold Case and Lowther winner Swingalong, are doubly represented. 

Kevin Ryan, who won the Queen Anne on Tuesday, runs Queen Me, who was beaten a neck by Swingalong in the Lowther and is another to drop down in trip after running in the 1,000 Guineas. Rumstar and Marbaan complete the field.