O'Brien Holds Strong Hand in Two Thousand Guineas

History tells us the perceived Aidan O'Brien first string can sometimes be upstaged by a lesser-fancied stablemate in the Two Thousand Guineas (G1).

This year O'Brien fields the first two in the market, Auguste Rodin  and Little Big Bear , as he bids to win the Newmarket classic for a remarkable 11th time.

Based on respective odds of 15-8 and 9-2, it would hardly come as a shock of seismic proportions if Little Big Bear exposed any faults in his stablemate, who has been hot favorite since landing the Futurity Trophy Stakes (G1) at Doncaster last October.

Auguste Rodin possesses definite superstar potential, hailed by his trainer last year as "probably the most exciting horse we've ever had".

O'Brien has mentioned the Triple Crown—Two Thousand Guineas, Derby (G1), and St Leger (G1)—which was last landed by Nijinsky II in 1970, when talking about Auguste Rodin, but Little Big Bear showed tremendous improvement during his juvenile career too, culminating in a seven-length defeat of Persian Force  in the Phoenix Stakes (G1).

Is Ryan Moore on the more talented colt? The money in recent days for Little Big Bear suggests some believe that not to be the case.

O'Brien said: "Everything has gone well with the two colts in the lead-up, but the one concern I would have is that they traveled over on Friday and will spend the night in Newmarket. We've never traveled the day before to the Guineas so this is something we're not used to doing. As regards the ground, I hope the rain stays away for both horses.

"They are both beautiful movers so the better the ground, the better they will be. Auguste Rodin has always showed a lot of class in his work from the start and Ryan has loved him from day one.

"The plan would be to step Auguste Rodin up in trip for the Derby after this, while Little Big Bear will either stay over a mile or drop in trip, depending on how he gets on. He's a very relaxed, very chilled colt, so that will give him every chance of staying a mile."

Chaldean Out to Emulate Famous Father Frankel

It is 12 years since the mighty Frankel produced one of the most extraordinary performances of all time when annihilating his Two Thousand Guineas opponents in the famous pink and green silks of Juddmonte. Now his son, Chaldean , winner of four of his five starts during an impressive 2-year-old campaign, aims to emulate Frankel by flying up the Rowley Mile to land the £500,000 QIPCO-backed showpiece.

Those wins included a head defeat of Royal Scotsman  in the Dewhurst Stakes (G1) last October—historically the best British guide to the Guineas—and his ante-post backers would have gone into the winter in high spirits.

Chaldean's reappearance, when he dumped Frankie Dettori at the start of the Greenham Stakes (G3), didn't go according to plan, but his reputation has been in no way tarnished.

"It's a deep race, but we're very happy with him," said Barry Mahon, racing manager to Juddmonte. "He returned from Newbury pretty unscathed, and enjoyed his day away. He has trained well since, and Frankie came down to Kingsclere last Saturday to ride a piece of work on him."

Auguste Rodin and Little Big Bear are drawn on the other side of the track to Chaldean, who is berthed in stall 3.

"The draw is an unknown," Mahon admitted. "Most of the fancied contenders are drawn high, but stall 3 has a good record in the race."

Chaldean won his races last year with great authority, and looks the type to train on and make a top-class 3-year-old.

"He enjoyed a great season," Mahon added. "I think he won the Dewhurst with a bit more comfort than the margin suggests. We're really looking forward to seeing him run."

Cole Bids to Roll Back Years With Royal Scotsman

Paul Cole, who sent out Generous to win the Derby in 1991, has high hopes of pulling off another classic success with Royal Scotsman.

Cole, now training in partnership with son Oliver, regularly competed at the top level during the halcyon days of his Whatcombe stable—the likes of Culture Vulture, Snurge, Ibn Bey, Sarab, and Mr Dinos roll off the tongue—and another big-race victory at this stage of his career would give him an enormous amount of pleasure.

"The horse is 100% and looks a million dollars," Cole said. "He has been working very well. Nobody really knows whether the English 2-year-old form is better than the Irish form, but I feel the English form last year was particularly good. Royal Scotsman was second to Chaldean in the Dewhurst, and I think that is very strong form."

Victory for Royal Scotsman would give the Cole yard a huge boost, and the trainer added: "It would mean a lot to me in terms of the business; it would mean a lot for the team, and Oliver, and everyone else. We like Royal Scotsman. He's going to run a big race."