Little Big Bear victory rated the best in Phoenix Stakes for 21 years

Little Big Bear propelled himself well clear at the head of this year's two-year-old standings with an exceptional performance in the Keeneland Phoenix Stakes at the Curragh on Saturday, the exciting colt laying down a strong marker for top juvenile honours with a much-improved Racing Post Rating of 122+.

In a contest which saw four of the top five two-year-old colts taking each other on, Little Big Bear proved in a different league with another hugely impressive display to back up his wide-margin win in the Anglesey Stakes three weeks earlier.

While Bradsell clearly wasn't himself, both Persian Force and Shartash are also rated the best part of 10lb below form and if taken at face value the result could see Little Big Bear rated higher still.