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| Sumita Pawar |
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After missing six days of cantering due to a bruised foot, Aidan O'Brien states that there is only a 50-50 chance for last year's champion juvenile, Little Big Bear, to participate in Saturday's Pertemps Network July Cup (4.35).
In his recent race at Royal Ascot, Little Big Bear, the winner of the Sandy Lane Stakes at Haydock, fell short against Shaquille despite being the 10-11 favorite, following a disappointing performance at the Qipco 2,000 Guineas in Newmarket.
On Monday, O'Brien said, "He's not a definite runner yet and we will probably make a decision in the middle of the week about him. He's had a little setback since his last run. He got a bruise on his foot and he didn't get to canter for six days so that's far from ideal.
"I'd say it's probably 50-50 whether he will run or not. He will be okay to run, but has he lost too much fitness? Six days without cantering is a lot."
On Monday, connections decided to supplement Royal Ascot winner Khaadem for Saturday's major race, with the hope that conditions remain favorable.
Shaquille vs. Khaadem: Clash Of The Titans
At a cost of £36,000, the 7YO, trained by Charlie Hills, who caused a surprise by winning the Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes at odds of 80-1 last month, has been included in the Group 1 contest.
After the confirmation of 14 contenders for the £600,000 contest at Monday's five-day stage, Shaquille, who was also a Group 1 winner at Royal Ascot, emerged as one of the potential rivals for Khaadem.
According to Ladbrokes, Khaadem has been given odds of 11-1 for the July Cup, with Shaquille leading the market at 2-1. Little Big Bear and Azure Blue are both considered joint-second favorites at 7-2, followed by Kinross at 6-1.
Explaining the decision to supplement Khaadem in his William Hill blog, Hills said, "I spoke with Michael Prosser [Newmarket clerk] earlier and he says there looks to be a band of rain coming through on Monday evening but bar that and a couple of light showers, the weather looks pretty good so hopefully it stays on the quicker side and we can take our chance.
"I can't imagine it being soft and, unless the rain really got into the ground, he’ll run. He'll be fine on good ground, but he does like it quick so let's hope the showers stay away.
"I’ve always maintained he’s a Group class sprinter and his career shows that. He’s won some really good races like the Stewards’ Cup, King George, and Palace House, and obviously last time in the Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee at Ascot. He’s a very good horse and we’re looking forward to Saturday."
Jim and Fitri Hay own Khaadem, who was ridden by Jamie Spencer at Ascot, but a different jockey will be needed for the July Cup due to Spencer's six-day suspension for careless riding on Via Sistina at the Curragh on July 1.
Shaquille is expected to have a rematch with Little Big Bear in the July Cup, following his impressive victory despite a slow start in the Commonwealth Cup, winning by a length and a quarter.
William Buick is set to ride Kinross, who finished seventh behind Khaadem in the Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee, while Frankie Dettori is also serving a ban.
Azure Blue, the Duke of York winner, is among the prominent contenders, including Art Power, Lezoo, and Run To Freedom, moving forward for the July Cup.