Derrick Smith, Mrs. John Magnier, Michael Tabor and Westerberg's Little Big Bear (Ire) (No Nay Never–Adventure Seeker {Fr}, by Bering {GB}) overraced and encountered a rough journey when well back in the G1 QIPCO 2000 Guineas at the beginning of the month, but on livelier ground over Haydock's straight course, the even-money favourite ran out an open-length winner of the one-mile G2 Betfred Nifty Fifty Sandy Lane S. on Saturday.
Always forwardly placed against the fence as last year's G2 Coventry S. hero and G3 Commonwealth Cup Trial S. third Bradsell (GB) (Tasleet {GB}) set the pace, the 2022 G1 Phoenix S. hero took over at the furlong grounds and surged away to a visually pleasing 1 1/4-length victory. Multiple listed winner Shouldvebeenaring (GB) (Havana Grey {GB}) closed with promise to take second and Bradsell reported home third, eight lengths back.
Deputising for Ryan Moore who won the G1 Tattersalls Irish 2000 Guineas aboard Paddington (GB) (Siyouni {Fr}) at the Curragh later in the day, Frankie Dettori was picking up his second win on the card, after guiding Covey (GB) (Frankel (GB)}) to victory in the Betfred Silver Bowl H. one race prior. It was the first victory at Haydock for Aidan O'Brien.
“In fairness, they booked me about 10 days ago,” said the Italian, who is retiring at the end of the year. “I thought I could have been in Ireland for the Guineas but things didn't materialise, so I was straight on the phone to say that I'd go to Haydock.
“He was the champion 2-year-old last year and the 2000 Guineas proved too far for him, but he won in good style today. He quickened up well for hands and heels and it's a big boost for the Commonwealth [Cup at Royal Ascot in June].
“I'll be honest, I eased up in the last few yards as the job was done, that was a good performance ahead of next month. He's got big figures in the book and he's come back to his best today–he'll be a big favourite.
“I don't think Ryan [Moore] is going to give me this one [ride]! I was very pleased to ride him today and wish him all the best.”
Before his Guineas hiccup, Little Big Bear was named a Rising Star at second asking at Naas last May, and sped to successive victories in the Listed Windsor Castle S. at Royal Ascot, the Curragh's G3 Anglesey S., and the G1 Phoenix S., prior to being shelved for the rest of the campaign due to a setback.
Pedigree Notes
Coolmore Stud's No Nay Never has 49 stakes winners (28 group) to his credit. Little Big Bear is one of seven Group 1 winners. Little Big Bear shares damsire Bering with star stayer Stradivarius (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}), and the duo belong to a 73-strong clutch of stakes winners.
The stakes-winning Adventure Seeker was second in the G3 Prix Cleopatre, and hit black-type pay dirt with her first foal, Andrea Mantegna (Giant's Causeway), who ran second in the G3 Hobart Cup in Australia. The Sandy Lane winner is her seventh, and she has colts by No Nay Never born in 2021 and 2022 still to come. Third dam All Along (Fr) (Targowice) was a champion in both the U.S. and France, and won the 1983 G1 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe.
Saturday, Haydock, Britain
BETFRED NIFTY FIFTY SANDY LANE S.-G2, £125,000, Haydock, 5-27, 3yo, 6fT, 1:11.39, g/f.
1–LITTLE BIG BEAR (IRE), 128, c, 3, by No Nay Never
1st Dam: Adventure Seeker (Fr) (SW & GSP-Fr, $155,312), by Bering (GB)
2nd Dam: American Adventure, by Miswaki
3rd Dam: All Along (Fr), by Targowice
TDN Rising Star. (€320,000 Ylg '21 ARAUG). O-Derrick Smith, Susan Magnier, Michael Tabor & Westerberg; B-Camas Park Stud & Summerhill (IRE); T-Aidan O'Brien; J-Lanfranco Dettori. £70,888. Lifetime Record: G1SW-Ire, 7-5-1-0, $385,136. *1/2 to Andrea Mantegna (Giant's Causeway), GSP-Aus, $352,585. Werk Nick Rating: C. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree, or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
2–Shouldvebeenaring (GB), 128, c, 3, Havana Grey (GB)–Lady Estella (Ire), by Equiano (Fr). 1ST GROUP BLACK TYPE. (£40,000 Ylg '21 GOFFUK). O-Middleham Park Racing XVIII; B-Whitsbury Manor Stud (GB); T-Richard Hannon. £26,875.
3–Bradsell (GB), 128, c, 3, Tasleet (GB)–Russian Punch (GB), by Archipenko. (12,000gns Ylg '21 TATSOM; £47,000 2yo '22 GOFTY). O-Victorious Racing; B-Mrs D O'Brien (GB); T-Archie Watson. £13,450.
Margins: 1 1/4, 8, 1 1/4. Odds: 1.00, 11.00, 5.00.
Also Ran: Matilda Picotte (Ire), Cold Case (GB), Mill Stream (Ire), The Ridler (GB). Scratched: Al Dasim (Ire).
He's back!
Little Big Bear means business and is all class in the Betfred Sandy Lane Stakes for Aidan O'Brien and @FrankieDettori
@haydockraces pic.twitter.com/Qa6yhUKxIB
— Racing TV (@RacingTV) May 27, 2023
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