Paddington more likely to represent O’Brien in Craven than Cairo

PA Sport Reporters
April 16, 2023 4:00 pm

‘So far, so good’ with Little Big Bear and Auguste Rodin.

Recent Naas winner Paddington may represent Aidan O’Brien in the bet365 Craven Stakes at Newmarket on Thursday.

The Siyouni colt carried a big weight to victory to win the Madrid Handicap on his return to action and is on course to step up in class for the Guineas trial.

O’Brien also has Cairo entered, last seen finishing well down the field in the UAE Derby on dirt. But soft ground has made him a very unlikely runner.

“We left in two and I’m not sure as the ground has gone soft. Paddington is the one that might run. It might be a step too quick, but he’s in and we are thinking about it,” said O’Brien.

A winning return for Paddington!
Paddington makes light of a mark of 97 by staying on strongly to land the Madrid Handicap @NaasRacecourse for Aidan O’Brien and Ryan Moore.

With improvement to come, is the son of Siyouni a genuine Guineas prospect now? pic.twitter.com/KAXHz4PmBy
— Racing TV (@RacingTV) March 26, 2023

“Cairo would have been a possible only the ground has gone soft. He’s fine and just didn’t face the dirt over in Dubai.”

O’Brien currently houses two of the ante-post favourites for the 2000 Guineas in Auguste Rodin and Little Big Bear and both are due to step up their work shortly.

“It’s so far, so good with the Guineas horses,” said the Ballydoyle handler.

“Little Big Bear is a quick horse and has not been asked to do a lot. His work will get more serious over the next few weeks.”