Bookies are running scared of the Aidan O'Brien-trained Little Big Bear at Royal Ascot on Friday.
The Ballydoyle supremo has already recorded three victories at Ascot this week, with his runner in the Commonwealth Cup seen as the banker of the meeting by many punters.
Little Big Bear landed the Windsor Castle Stakes here 12 months ago before following up in both the Anglesey Stakes and the Group 1 Keeneland Phoenix Stakes at the Curragh later in the year.
READ MORE: Royal Ascot 2023 day 4 full race card and tips - list of runners Friday
Things didn't go to plan for him in the 2,000 Guineas at Newmarket, but he returned to the winners enclosure after landing a Group 2 at Haydock later last month and could be very hard to beat this afternoon.
William Hill spokesperson, Lee Phelps, said: “Little Big Bear in the Commonwealth Cup is the banker of the week for many. We’ve tried to stay odds-against with him for as long as possible, but the support continues to come and he’s now even-money for Friday’s big sprint.
“William Hill were the first firm up with a quote of 33/1 about him winning this race after his success in the Windsor Castle 12 months ago. While ante-post betting on Royal Ascot isn’t anything like the traffic we see for Cheltenham, there are a few on at fancy prices which will only add to what looks set to be one of the worst results of the week for us.”
William Will odds for Commonwealth Cup
Little Big Bear |
EVS |
Sakheer |
7/2 |
Lezoo |
8/1 |
Shaquille |
9/1 |
Noble Style |
14/1 |
Ocean Quest |
16/1 |
BAR |
25/1 |
