It is a big weekend of racing over in Ireland as the opening classics of the season are run, beginning with the Irish 2000 Guineas which has a unique evening slot at The Curragh on Friday as 11 go to post for one of the big prizes on the calendar.
This race often determines runners and riders for further big races later in the season, so it isn’t just a classic in its own right but the picture for the remainder of the campaign begins to be painted here. Here is our complete race preview.
6.40 Curragh
Favourite
At the Curragh, we have the first Irish classic of the year with their 2000 Guineas being run over a mile. There’s a field of 11 for this with Aiden O’Brien saddling over half the field.
However, he doesn’t have the favourite as that honour goes to Ger Lyons who saddles the unbeaten Siskin. He was withdrawn at Newmarket last backend when unruly in the stalls but, previous to that, won 4 out of 4. He’s never been beyond 6 furlongs and, in all honesty, his wins haven’t suggested ‘superstar’ despite wins at Group 1 and Group 2 level.
Contenders
O’Brien has the next 4 in the betting with Armory and Lope Y Fernandez looking the 2 best hopes of his sextet on jockey bookings. The former is hard to ignore and has arguably the most solid form. He will love the ground too but is the most exposed whilst the latter is a strange one to figure out. He looked in need of a longer trip when 6th in the Middle Park but his trainer has said he doesn’t think he’ll stay & was being aimed at a sprint campaign. Royal Lythan is of interest but the jockey booking concerns me as does the application of first time blinkers.
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Betting
Instead, a chance is taken on Vatican City who, on breeding, would win. He’s a brother to Gleneagles & Happily and if he proves to be as good as that pair, this will surely be a formality. On form though, he has it all to do but is clearly well thought of.
He debuted at Newmarket when 5th behind Kinross who recorded one of the best performances of any 2 year old before winning his only other start at Dundalk on the all-weather against a group of maidens. He did that as easy as you like and looked a class act in the process. Connections talked him up after that and it’s surely a tip in itself that O’Brien pitches him in here with some other proven types. Beggy takes the ride and is bidding to add to his Group 3 success early this week in Derrinstown.
Whilst we’re on the subject of likely improvers, it’s hard to leave Fiscal Rules, the sole Jim Bolger challenger, out of calculations. It’s interesting that Bolger relies on this horse after just one run as a 2 year old in a maiden over 7 furlongs at this track. If the form lines stack up though, he’ll go very close as he was only beaten a head into 2nd that day, beaten by English 2000 Guineas runner up Wichita. Remember, Wichita finished ahead of the supposed superstar, Pinatubo, last week. At the price, I’m happy to take a chance on him especially as this looks one of the weaker renewals in living memory.
Tips
PLACED AT 14/1 – Back Vatican City (e/w) for a 1/10 stake at 8.50 William Hill BOG (1/5 odds 1-4)
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Back Fiscal Rules (e/w) for a 0.75/10 stake at 17.00 Coral BOG (1/5 odds 1-3)
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