Little Big Bear 14-1 favourite for the 2,000 Guineas after stylish Anglesey win

Saturday: Curragh

Little Big Bear was promoted to 14-1 favourite by Paddy Power for next year's 2,000 Guineas after a dominant performance in the Anglesey Stakes under Ryan Moore.

The Windsor Castle winner bypassed a clash with Persian Force in the July Stakes at Newmarket earlier in the month, but the encounter may not be delayed much longer as both colts are entered in next month's Phoenix Stakes.

The son of No Nay Never was supremely impressive. He showed good speed towards the centre of the track, quickened well to cement his advantage and stormed clear in the last furlong to win by four and three-quarter lengths.

It was a performance which suggested the colt should have little difficulty staying an extra furlong, and Aidan O'Brien said: "He's always shown a lot. We were delighted with him at Ascot.

"He's very uncomplicated, is happy to make the running, happy to take a lead. Ryan said he couldn't believe how well he was travelling two out and when he asked him the response was very quick.

"Ryan thinks he could be a National Stakes or a Dewhurst horse, and when they are giving you that kind of feel you would have to think he's a Guineas horse. The plan at the moment is to come back here for the Phoenix Stakes next month."

Hans Andersen kickstarted the day for the stable by winning a hot-looking maiden with some conviction. A return next month for the Futurity Stakes could be on the cards.

Murtagh thinking big

The Group 2 Sapphire Stakes was a battle of the fillies, but the Johnny Murtagh-trained Ladies Church prevailed as she found plenty for pressure to get the better of Mooneista by a short head.

Ben Coen was at his strongest on the climb to the finish as a real tussle to the line could have gone either way, with Colin Keane possibly getting there a fraction sooner than he would have liked on the runner-up.

Even after an average enough start to the season, Murtagh never lost faith with the Mark Dobbin-owned daughter of Churchill. He said: "We fancied her strongly at Ascot but she probably could have done with one more run going there, she just wasn't ready. We knew we had a filly with plenty of pace though and once she relaxes early she has that turn of foot at the end."

Murtagh added: "This is a stepping stone while being a big step up. What she did at two was a bonus, she was always going to better at three. She's learning how to sprint and we are going to be brave with her for the rest of the season. It will be Group 1s all the way now."

Tough Wagyu not for passing

British dominance of big Irish sprint handicaps is a common theme and it came to the fore again when the John Quinn-trained Mr Wagyu bravely held on in the Paddy Power Scurry Handicap.

Ridden by Jason Hart, the seven-year-old battled to see off the challenge of Big Gossey by a head to record his 15th career success.

"He's never won before the month of June in his life, every year he comes to life then and June and July are his months," said the trainer's son and assistant Sean. "We might have a bit of a conundrum in September between the Ayr Gold Cup and the Bold Lad handicap here so we'll see."

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