Are we dealing with a potential 'good thing' in the shape of Little Big Bear?

Wednesday: 5.35 Royal Ascot
Windsor Castle Stakes (Listed) | 5f | 2yo | ITV/Sky

Early juveniles are primed to peak at Royal Ascot with any earlier runs merely used as education. The fact Little Big Bear has already notched a Racing Post Rating good enough to oblige in nine of the last ten runnings of the Windsor Castle indicates we are dealing with a potential good thing.

The ability to stay six furlongs is an advantage in five-furlong races at Ascot and Little Big Bear will be finishing strongly over the trip. The No Nay Never colt almost won over 6f on his debut before bolting up on soft ground dropped to 5f at Naas. That run puts him well clear on RPRs and a low draw in stall 2 is workable.

Middle draws have struggled somewhat in recent runnings with the exception of Sound And Silence’s victory in 2017 and Wesley Ward’s contender Seismic Spirit is drawn centrally in stall 11.

Seismic Spirit was beaten narrowly on his debut but Ward’s 2014 winner Hootenanny also arrived after a defeat. He was caught only late by a colt with previous experience and showcased all the typical early speed associated with Ward’s two-year-olds.

Although like with Love Reigns in the earlier Queen Mary, the US form is difficult to assess. One thing we do know is the performance of Love Reigns will affect Seismic Spirit’s Windsor Castle SP.

If you like one, a related double may not be the worst bet in the world on value grounds. It will be interesting to see whether Irad Ortiz Jr opts for the far side or veers to the stands’ side from that stall in a race which could split into two groups.

Two boxes away from Seismic Spirit in 13 is Wodao, who is nominated as an interesting each-way player.

Gavin Ryan will have the same decision to make as Ortiz Jr and this progressive, battle-hardened colt’s form behind Battaash’s brother The Antarctic means he should not be far away.
Race analysis by Robbie Wilders

'Ryan always thought he had plenty of pace'

When Aidan O'Brien shuffled his pack and produced one of his aces for the Windsor Castle it changed the complexion of a race he has won twice before with Washington DC and Southern Hills.

Little Big Bear was a leading fancy for the Coventry before being directed to this and O'Brien does not think the minimum trip will pose a problem to the son of No Nay Never, who didn't look short of speed when winning a maiden at Naas over five last month.

Seamie Heffernan, who was on board there, was very impressed, describing him as a "massive colt with plenty of boot who ticks all the boxes".

It's hardly surprising to see him top the Windsor Castle market will comments like that.

O'Brien said: "He's a nice colt who progressed from his first start at the Curragh to win nicely at Naas. Ryan [Moore] always thought he had plenty of pace, so we think five will be fine for him, even though he ran over six on his debut. He seems very well in himself."

What they say

Roger Varian, trainer of Bolt Action
He's a good, sharp juvenile and a very fast horse, so he'll be well suited by the race. He's drawn nicely in the middle, so we'll see how he goes.

Thady Gosden, joint-trainer of Far Shot
He won on his debut at Yarmouth last week, despite not liking the soft ground, and we expect him to improve on this surface. He's got a great temperament and shows plenty of speed and it's a route we took with Ardad a few years ago.

Dave Loughnane, trainer of Guiteau
He's come on an awful lot from Windsor and probably should've won, but was green. The drop back in trip isn't the most obvious of things to do, but it's a stiff 5f and he'll be doing his best work at the line.

Richard Hughes, trainer of Knebworth
I've never had a two-year-old behave like he does. He is absolutely bombproof, nothing fazes him. I was actually very disappointed with his last win but the following day he was a very sick horse. He has done nothing but improve since then. I just love him and cannot wait to run him. He'll probably want six furlongs in time.

Michael O'Callaghan, trainer of Mehmar
He has plenty of experience with the three runs under his belt. I think running over 5f in a better race will suit him.

Wesley Ward, trainer of Seismic Spirit
He's a chunky guy and it's tough to get the weight off him, but that first race should have tightened him up. Of all the ones I've brought over, he is the biggest price because he's a maiden, but he was only nipped on the line that day by a horse who had race experience. He'll have moved way forwards for the run.

Donnacha O'Brien, trainer of Wodao
He's working nicely and I think the track and trip will suit him. Obviously it's a competitive race, but we're hoping for a good run.

David O'Meara, trainer of Star Of Lady M
She's three from four and a good tough filly who seems to be in good form.
Reporting by David Jennings

Read more of Wednesday's Royal Ascot previews:

2.30 Royal Ascot: Karl Burke: I really do think she has the potential to be a special filly

3.05 Royal Ascot: Can Nahanni recover from Derby horror show to give Appleby back-to-back wins?

3.40 Royal Ascot: Sir Michael Stoute has eyes on the prize as Bay Bridge faces toughest test yet

4.20 Royal Ascot: Will Mother Earth's course form prove decisive or is that too simple?

5.00 Royal Ascot: Trainer quotes and draw analysis for a red-hot Royal Hunt Cup

6.10 Royal Ascot: Could Royal Ascot's newest race break the rule for races over a mile?

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