The Guineas weekend didn’t go to plan for Aidan O’Brien and his three runners across both the 1000 and 2000 Guineas badly underperformed. It would be unwise to give up on any horse trained by the great man though and they’ll be back to fight another day. We’ve picked out the two that are most likely to go to Royal Ascot and show their true colours. Check out our free tips page for daily content across British and Irish racing.
Little Big Bear had a legitimate excuse for his below-par run in the 2000 Guineas on Saturday. He was struck into and was reportedly lame and sore after the race. You can put a line through that effort, as he was never able to show his true running in a messy race.
The plan now is to drop down to 6f for the Commonwealth Cup at Royal Ascot and the race should suit. His demolition job in the Phoenix Stakes last year suggests he has plenty of pace and this test will play to his strengths. Some quicker ground also wouldn’t go amiss, as he has an electric turn of foot.
Little Big Bear @ 8-1 (Coral)
Meditate won the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf on firm ground and it’s no coincidence that her two worst performances have come on soft ground. She never looked comfortable and the ground had clearly gone against her. Her form as a juvenile suggests she’s much better than that and there’s no way she’d have been beaten that far in quicker conditions.
That was her first start of the season too and she may not have been as forward as connections expected. I think we could see a totally different horse if lining up at Ascot next month and she should thrive with the summer sun on her back.
Meditate @ 12-1 (Paddy Power)
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