Ryan Moore warns Auguste Rodin faces ‘very dangerous’ threat that could ruin huge plunge on 2000 Guineas favourite
RYAN MOORE has warned Auguste Rodin’s stablemate Little Big Bear poses a ‘very dangerous’ threat to the 2000 Guineas favourite.
Aidan O’Brien’s stable star is the 6-4 fav to win the first Classic of the season at Newmarket on Saturday.
The three-year-old colt is as short as 8-1 to win the Triple Crown – 2000 Guineas, Derby and St Leger – with Coral.
But Auguste Rodin’s jockey Ryan Moore says the biggest danger to the horse’s future could be his pal Little Big Bear.
He is also trained by genius Irish trainer Aidan O’Brien – and Moore told Betfair they are the two best runners in the race.
Moore said: “After what Little Big Bear did in the Phoenix Stakes at two – that was quite a stunning win – he deserves to run in this Classic rather than in Ireland or France, as Newmarket will tell us a lot more about him and where he will be heading afterwards.
“He clearly has a lot of pace but I personally think he will stay a mile, and that makes him a very dangerous rival to all, including my mount Auguste Rodin.
“We haven’t seen Little Big Bear since that Curragh win in August but he has been going well.
“There are no stamina concerns with Auguste Rodin obviously, and he will probably be heading up in trip after this, and he is a horse we have always loved from day one as a juvenile and he fulfilled those expectations with his Doncaster win.
“He is an exciting prospect for the season, but hopefully for the here and now, too.
“But would it surprise me if Little Big Bear beat him? Not really.
“They are the two best horses in here and the others have to reach, and maybe surpass, their current level, and hopefully they are drawn in the right place in 12 and 13.”
Moore named Andrew Balding’s Dewhurst winner Chaldean, Charlie Appleby’s Silver Knott and intriguing 25-1 outsider and Chesham winner Holloway Boy as others in with a chance.
2000 Guineas betting
6-4 Auguste Rodin
5 Little Big Bear
6 Chaldean
7 Sakheer
8 Royal Scotsman
12 Silver Knott
16 Noble Style
18 Indestructible
20 Bar