Little Big Bear could spearhead Aidan O'Brien's bid for 17th Phoenix success

A tilt at the Keeneland Phoenix Stakes is firmly under consideration for exciting juvenile Little Big Bear as Aidan O'Brien keeps a close eye on the weather before determining the exact shape of his Curragh team for Saturday.

The Group 1 highlight has been an extremely happy hunting ground for O'Brien, who has plundered the €300,000 prize 16 times since 1998, and has five horses to choose from in a bid to enhance his outstanding record.

Windsor Castle Stakes scorer Little Big Bear, who blew away his rivals in the Anglesey Stakes last month, heads Paddy Power's ante-post market at 13-8, with Group 2-winning stablemate Blackbeard a 4-1 chance.

Unbeaten Albany Stakes winner Meditate is available at 6-1, Silver Flash Stakes winner Never Ending Story is a 12-1 chance, while classy maiden winner Aesop's Fables is priced at 14-1, having been absent since his debut strike in April.

O'Brien said: "It will depend on the ground as to what goes to the Phoenix. Little Big Bear might go back there if the ground is nice after winning at the course last time.

Aidan O'Brien on Blackbeard: 'He set a new track record last time and is obviously a very fast colt'Credit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

"The likes of The Antarctic and Blackbeard, who won at Chantilly, might go to the Prix Morny, while there's also Meditate, who won at Royal Ascot. If the colts go [this weekend] she might wait for the Debutante on the way to the Moyglare, something like that.

"Blackbeard is an exciting horse. He set a new track record last time [in the Prix Robert Papin] and is obviously a very fast colt."

O'Brien is responsible for four of the five top-rated juveniles in Ireland this season, and has won with 14 of his 27 individual two-year-olds on turf.

Asked whether he has ever had a crop of fast summer two-year-olds like his current team, O'Brien said: "No, well I suppose these horses look strong and mature and they're taking their racing very well.

"They're competing at a very high level and we're delighted with them."

Ground conditions at the Curragh were described as good to yielding on Tuesday morning.

Saturday, 4.15 Curragh: Keeneland Phoenix Stakes

Paddy Power: 13-8 Little Big Bear, 7-4 Bradsell, 7-2 Persian Force, 4 Blackbeard, 6 Meditate, 13-2 Shartash, 12 Never Ending Story, 14 Aesop's Fables, 16 Apache Outlaw, 25 bar

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