Little Big Bear was a sprint sensation last season and one of 14 Commonwealth Cup runners declared for the three-year-old colts and fillies only 6f Group 1 co-feature on the penultimate day of Royal Ascot. With his form franked in a major way already this week, he’s very popular in the market with punters.
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Little Big Bear the One All Commonwealth Cup Runners Must Beat
While it may be one of the newer races on the Royal Ascot schedule, the Commonwealth Cup has already served up plenty of thrills and drama since its introduction in 2015. Little Big Bear is the clear favourite this year on his scintillating displays last summer and return to form when last in action.
For all his strength in the market, there are plenty of dangers. Taking on Little Big Bear here are the likes of other prominent Commonwealth Cup runners Sakheer, who won the Mill Reef, and filly Lezoo. The latter is only one of two previous course and distance winners in the line-up.
If official ratings are any indicator, however, then these contenders must improve significantly to stop Little Big Bear running away with the race. It promises to be a fast dash up the Ascot home straight with the winner set to graduate to open company in events like the July Cup and Haydock Sprint Cup later in the season. This is all the essential info about the entire field:
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Complete Commonwealth Cup Runners Guide 2023
1. Cold Case – Non-Runner
1. Cold Case – Non-Runner- Sire: Showcasing
- Damsire: Dream Ahead
- Rating: 108
- Draw: Stall 3
- Jockey: None
- Trainer: Karl Burke
- Recent Form: 212311-15
- Notable Career Wins: 2022 Redcar Two Year Old Trophy. 2023 Commonwealth Cup Trial
- Commonwealth Cup Odds: N/A
Won valuable Sales race at Doncaster during St Leger Festival and Listed event later in autumn. Career best when scoring over course and distance in official trial for Commonwealth Cup runners on reappearance, but put in his place by little Big Bear at Haydock since. Would prefer more ease in the ground. Non-Runner.
2. Little Big Bear
2. Little Big Bear- Sire: No Nay Never
- Damsire: Bering
- Rating: 124
- Draw: Stall 2
- Jockey: Ryan Moore
- Trainer: Aidan O’Brien
- Recent Form: 21111-01
- Notable Career Wins: 2022 Windsor Castle Stakes, 2022 Phoenix Stakes, 2023 Sandy Lane Stakes
- Commonwealth Cup Odds: Evens (from 6/4)
Sets clear and obvious form and ratings standard. Winner at the Royal meeting with Windsor Castle success 12 months ago, then Curragh Group 3 and Phoenix Stakes victories before missing backend of campaign. Easy to put a line through no-show in 2000 Guineas as won Sandy Lane at Haydock unextended latest. The one to beat.
3. Marbaan
3. Marbaan- Sire: Oasis Dream
- Damsire: Nayef
- Rating: 110
- Draw: Stall 13
- Jockey: Jamie Spencer
- Trainer: Charlie Fellowes
- Recent Form: 311165-42
- Notable Career Wins: 2022 Vintage Stakes
- Commonwealth Cup Odds: 40/1 (from 25/1)
Glorious Goodwood Group 2 winner over further as a juvenile, but not replicated that form in four starts since. Something to find with Cold Case on course and distance meeting on reappearance. Beaten just a head when staying on well at Salisbury in Listed company latest.
4. Mischief Magic
4. Mischief Magic- Sire: Exceed And Excel
- Damsire: Elusive Quality
- Rating: 113
- Draw: Stall 1
- Jockey: William Buick
- Trainer: Charlie Appleby
- Recent Form: 311141-8
- Notable Career Wins: 2022 Sirenia Stakes, 2022 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint
- Commonwealth Cup Odds: 40/1 (from 25/1)
Breeders’ Cup winner in America, and perhaps better judged on that than poor eighth over course and distance on reappearance. Came on for first run last season, but recent stable form cause for concern. One of two Commonwealth Cup runners for owners and trainer.
5. Noble Style
- Sire: Kingman
- Damsire: Pivotal
- Rating: 114
- Draw: Stall 5
- Jockey: James Doyle
- Trainer: Charlie Appleby
- Recent Form: 111-63
- Notable Career Wins: 2022 Gimcrack Stakes
- Commonwealth Cup Odds: 14/1 (from 12/1)
Course 5f winner on racecourse debut who went unbeaten as a juvenile, progressing to land the Gimcrack at York’s Ebor Festival. Didn’t appear to get home when sixth in the 2000 Guineas on reappearance, but staying on third dropped into Listed company and down to this distance at Newbury latest. Place prospects.
6. Rumstar
6. Rumstar- Sire: Havana Grey
- Damsire: Sakhee’s Secret
- Rating: 105
- Draw: Stall 6
- Jockey: Rob Hornby
- Trainer: Jonathan Portman
- Recent Form: 2134141-6
- Notable Career Wins: 2022 Cornwallis Stakes
- Commonwealth Cup Odds: 100/1 (from 50/1)
Glorious Goodwood sprint nursery handicap and Newmarket Group 3 winner as a juvenile last year. Well held by Shaquille at Newbury in Listed race on reappearance. Others appeal more.
7. Sakheer
7. Sakheer- Sire: Zoffany
- Damsire: Arcano
- Rating: 114
- Draw: Stall 10
- Jockey: David Egan
- Trainer: Roger Varian
- Recent Form: 211-7
- Notable Career Wins: 2022 Mill Reef Stakes
- Commonwealth Cup Odds: 13/2 (from 9/2)
Lightly-raced and exciting type who progressed to land Group 2 at Newbury on final start as a juvenile. Non-stayer in the 2000 Guineas on reappearance, but retains obvious potential as a sprinter. One of the Commonwealth Cup runners on the shortlist.
8. Shaquille
8. Shaquille- Sire: Charm Spirit
- Damsire: Galileo
- Rating: 111
- Draw: Stall 4
- Jockey: Oisin Murphy
- Trainer: Julie Camacho
- Recent Form: 1911-11
- Notable Career Wins: 2023 Carnarvon Stakes
- Commonwealth Cup Odds: 9/1 (from 12/1)
In-form horse for yard that does well with its sprinters, completing four-timer with Listed victory over subsequent King’s Stand sixth at Newbury latest. Each way claims.
9. Shouldvebeenaring
9. Shouldvebeenaring- Sire: Havana Grey
- Damsire: Equiano
- Rating: 112
- Draw: Stall 12
- Jockey: Sean Levey
- Trainer: Richard Hannon
- Recent Form: 4111462-152312
- Notable Career Wins: 2022 Ripon Champion Two Year Old Trophy, 2023 King Charles II Stakes
- Commonwealth Cup Odds: 28/1 (from 20/1)
Won valuable Sales race at York Ebor Festival and Listed event at Ripon before finding Sakheer too fast in the Mill Reef. Improved since then, however, with another Listed victory at Newmarket and chased home Little Big Bear in Sandy Lane latest. Could well outrun his odds and into the frame.
10. The X O
10. The X O- Sire: Zoffany
- Damsire: Pivotal
- Rating: 104
- Draw: Stall 9
- Jockey: Robert Havlin
- Trainer: John Ryan
- Recent Form: 22-131532
- Notable Career Wins: None
- Commonwealth Cup Odds: 100/1 (from 66/1)
Ran a mighty race over course and distance at 125/1 when runner-up in official trial for this race. That a career-best after two Southwell All-Weather wins earlier in year. Needs to back-up his display here the last day to have any hope of a place.
11. Lezoo
11. Lezoo- Sire: Zoustar
- Damsire: Red Clubs
- Rating: 114
- Draw: Stall 14
- Jockey: Frankie Dettori
- Trainer: Ralph Beckett
- Recent Form: 11211-8
- Notable Career Wins: 2022 Princess Margaret Stakes, 2022 Cheveley Park Stakes
- Commonwealth Cup Odds: 8/1 (from 10/1)
Group 3 course and distance winner on King George Weekend after unlucky second to Mawj in Newmarket July Festival Group 2. Career best when scoring at highest level in Cheveley Park in the autumn. Non-stayer in 1000 Guineas, but remains respected now back in sprints. One of the Commonwealth Cup runners to back each way.
12. Ocean Quest
12. Ocean Quest- Sire: Sioux Nation
- Damsire: Aqlaam
- Rating: 107
- Draw: Stall 8
- Jockey: Colin Keane
- Trainer: Jessica Harrington
- Recent Form: 132-12
- Notable Career Wins: 2023 Committed Stakes
- Commonwealth Cup Odds: 20/1 (from 16/1)
Just failed to get up in the Group 3 Lacken Stakes at Naas latest after Listed victory at Navan on reappearance. Unexposed and something of a back horse. Can go well.
13. Queen Me
13. Queen Me- Sire: Dubawi
- Damsire: Frankel
- Rating: 104
- Draw: Stall 11
- Jockey: Jim Crowley
- Trainer: Kevin Ryan
- Recent Form: 123-9
- Notable Career Wins: None
- Commonwealth Cup Odds: 50/1 (from 40/1)
Neck second in Group 2 Lowther Stakes during the Ebor Festival at York last summer. Beaten favourite and third in Ayr Group 3 before non-stayer in 2000 Guineas latest. Trainer had already pulled off one big-price winner at the Royal meeting this year, but this one up against it on ratings.
14. Swingalong
14. Swingalong- Sire: Showcasing
- Damsire: Shamardal
- Rating: 105
- Draw: Stall 7
- Jockey: Clifford Lee
- Trainer: Karl Burke
- Recent Form: 24114-30
- Notable Career Wins: 2022 Lowther Stakes
- Commonwealth Cup Odds: 66/1 (from 33/1)
Lowther winner with something to find with Lezoo on Cheveley Park form. Third in the Greenham on reappearance, then non-stayer in French 1000 Guineas latest. Others have stronger claims.
What Date & Time Is The 2023 Commonwealth Cup?
📅Time/Date: 3:05pm (Friday 23rd June 2023)
🏇Racecourse: Ascot
💰 Winner: £340,260
📺 TV: Sky Sports Racing / ITV
🎲 Odds: Little Big Bear Evs | Sakheer 6/1 | Lezoo 8/1 | Shaquille 9/1 | Bar 14/1
Recent Commonwealth Cup Winners
- 2022 – Perfect Power (7/2 joint-fav)
- 2021 – Campanelle (5/1)
- 2020 – Golden Horde (5/1)
- 2019 – Advertise (8/1)
- 2018 – Eqtidaar (12/1)
- 2017 – Caravaggio (5/6 fav)
- 2016 – Quiet Reflection (7/4 fav)
- 2015 – Muhaarar (10/1)
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