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The first of the Irish Classics takes place today at the Curragh with this year's 2000 Guineas looking an exciting race with Juddmonte responsible for the top two in the market and having three in the race altogether.
The Irish have slightly lost their grip on this race in recent times with three of the last six winners trained in the UK and things may follow suit here with UK raiders seemingly holding the aces. Having said that, there is strong form throughout most of the contenders and this looks an above average renewal.
15:40 - Curragh
1m Tattersalls Irish 2,000 Guineas (Group 1) (No Geldings) (3yo)
John Gosden won this race in 2014 with Kingman and he saddles, Field Of Gold (11/10) who was sent off favourite for the English 2000 Guineas where he was narrowly denied when finishing strongly to claim second. He arguably would have won in a couple more strides and favourite backers will be seeking to get their money back today. They should have every reason to be confident as that form is the standout here.
Cosmic Year (3/1) is the only horse that comes into this with an unbeaten record and his 7f win at Newmarket was hugely impressive. He traveled powerfully that day and this step up to a mile shouldn't pose a problem. He could well make up a 1-2 for Juddmonte and could even cause an upset to the favourite assuming there is even more to come.
The Irish leading hope is the John Harrington-trained Hotazhell (9/1) who was last spotted winning the Group 1 Futurity Stakes at Doncaster. That day he had a solid yardstick behind him in Wimbledon Hawkeye, where he toughed it out on soft ground. However a lot may depend on his fitness upon returning here after that 210-day absence from the track. Has won over C&D as well which is a positive so I'd watch the market signals with this one.
As you'd expect Aiden O'Brien has a couple in here and his best chance appears to be Officer (9/1). He put a rusty performance first time out this season well behind him when winning a Listed race back here over his first stab at a mile, powering clear in the closing stages. As with a lot of Aiden’s horses they improve after each run and he may have more to give.
O'Brien’s second string appears to be Expanded (20/1) however you'd have to forgive him his last run when never able to land any sort of blow in the English equivalent. He went off at only 5/1 that day so perhaps better was expected. Not completely written off but others more persuasive this time.
Rashabar (16/1) brings consistent form to the table with two Group 1 seconds to his name in France over shorter trips and is a Royal Ascot Coventry winner. This is his first go at a mile and it'll be interesting to see how he is ridden having been ridden up with the pace on his comeback run at Newbury. It's not inconceivable he could run into a place for his shrewd trainer, Brian Meehan.
Analysis
There's no doubt Field Of Gold brings the strongest form to the race and is a worthy favourite from what we've seen. Harry Charlton is bullish about Cosmic Years chances but he'll need to be a really good one to challenge the favourite. The Irish hopes are not without a chance assuming there is more to come from Officer having got his head back in front last time and Futurity Stakes winner Hotazhell who would be shorter if we'd seen him run this season. Field Of Gold is the selection with redemption awaiting him.
