Go Bears Go bids to build on superb juvenile season in Commonwealth Cup

Wednesday: 4.10 Ascot
Merriebelle Stables Commonwealth Cup Trial Stakes (Group 3) | 3yo | 6f | Sky

Eqtidaar is the only horse to have run in this race before winning the Commonwealth Cup. He finished second to Invincible Army in 2018 before going on to score at Royal Ascot at 12-1 the following June.

The first and second from the previous year, Blue Point and Harry Angel, were far more talented horses but suffered the misfortune of bumping into the Aidan O'Brien-trained Caravaggio at Royal Ascot.

Go Bears Go tops the ratings and whether or not he can build on a super juvenile season will be the key to this five-runner contest. He won a novice and was a narrow second in the Norfolk Stakes, both over five furlongs at this track last year, before adding the Group 2 Railway Stakes and finishing second at the Breeders' Cup at Del Mar.

Hierarchy finished just a length behind in sixth in that Juvenile Turf Sprint and if he breaks better this time he would surely have a sound chance at reversing his Mill Reef form with Wings Of War.

Deeply impressive course-and-distance winner Ehraz would have claims if bouncing back from a deplorable run in the Acomb Stakes last time.
Race analysis by Maddy Playle

What they say

Clive Cox, trainer of Wings Of War
He's done well physically over the winter. He has a Group 2 penalty for his success in the Mill Reef but I'm delighted to get him back on track and he'll be very much at home in the drying conditions.

Richard Hannon, trainer of Ehraz
I was really disappointed when he ran in the Acomb Stakes because I couldn’t see him getting beaten that day but I think he's a very good horse. He won his novice stakes at Ascot by four lengths.

David Loughnane, trainer of Go Bears Go
His work has been fine and he's done everything as we'd have wanted him to. He's one of those horses who doesn't give you a whole lot at home so you never know exactly how well he's going. But he did a very pleasing bit of work at Wolverhampton last week and he couldn't be in better shape. The main question now is whether he's trained on properly from two to three and we won't know until we run him.

Hugo Palmer, trainer of Hierarchy
It's a small field with five runners and a very interesting race. He's a tough, good horse, and like all these horses by Mehmas he wears his heart on his sleeve. It's hard to assess as he always does his work without wowing us at home, but I'm happy with him.
Reporting by Scott Burton

Read more Wednesday previews:

3.35 Ascot: Last year's Gold Cup second Princess Zoe takes on promising stayers in Sagaro

4.10 Ascot: Go Bears Go bids to build on superb juvenile season in Commonwealth Cup

5.20 Punchestown: The Nice Guy puts unbeaten record on the line as Albert Bartlett 1-2-3 clash

5.55 Punchestown: unmissable insight from connections on a 'red-hot' Punchestown Gold Cup

6.30 Punchestown: Cheltenham hero Facile Vega renews rivalry with American Mike

7.05 Punchestown: 'A revelation over fences' - Ciel De Neige in frame to hand Mullins a winner

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