How do you assess next year’s 2,000 Guineas after the Phoenix Stakes?

'Little Big Bear has set the benchmark'

Aidan O’Brien has won the Phoenix Stakes a scarcely believable 17 times, but I cannot think of many who have been as impressive as Little Big Bear.

In fact, that is not strictly true, because Little Big Bear’s performance did prompt me to think of one of O’Brien’s previous winners – the quite brilliant, but ill-fated, George Washington.

While showing he has the speed to win over sprint distances, Little Big Bear has the pedigree to indicate he should stay a mile, plus he looked to have much more scope than the likes of Bradsell and Persian Force which would give you encouragement he will train on next year.

The betting for next year’s Qipco 2,000 Guineas is still at an early stage with big autumn targets for juveniles set to come, but there is no doubt Little Big Bear set the benchmark at the Curragh.
Peter Scargill, reporter

'It's only right he's clear favourite'

We've got a superstar on our hands, no question, and it's only right he's clear favourite for the Guineas following that display.

That is now an incredible 17 Phoenix winners for Aidan O'Brien, although only one of them, George Washington, went on to Classic glory at Newmarket. The two are similar in some ways being by sprinters with stamina on the dam's side, although Little Big Bear is more forward at this stage of their careers.

This was a devastating display and it's likely we're looking at the champion two-year-old, but whether he can win a Guineas will depend on any improvement from two to three.
James Hill, tipster

'The now horse but don't forget Blackbeard'

While the stumble at the start looked to seriously compromise Bradsell's chances, there is little argument with the manner in which Little Big Bear dispatched the rest of what was undoubtedly decent opposition.

The horse who might have given him most to think about may turn out to be Blackbeard, who was scratched in the morning but who made a big impression when walloping another Coolmore juvenile in The Antarctic in the Prix Robert Papin, form that was franked when the runner-up won the Prix du Cabourg on Tuesday.

Both Little Big Bear and Blackbeard are by a speed influence in No Nay Never, and while Little Big Bear is very professional, Blackbeard is still something of a teenage rebel.

But the dam's side of his pedigree gives him a chance of staying a mile. Little Big Bear might be the 'now' horse, but there could be plenty to come from Blackbeard given some time.
Scott Burton, France correspondent

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