The first Classic of the Irish season arrives on Saturday, as the colts do battle in the Irish 2000 Guineas at the Curragh. Headlines have already been made in the build-up to the contest, as Joe Napier previews the race with his verdict below.
FAVOURITES
Since he produced a superb display to win the Craven Stakes in April, Field Of Gold has become one of the talking horses of the season. Installed as favourite for the 2000 Guineas at Newmarket, the striking grey clicked into gear a few strides too late, failing to catch Ruling Court in time under Kieran Shoemark.
Since then, Shoemark has been demoted from his role as the Gosdens’ number one jockey, with Colin Keane set for the ride on Saturday. He has been given the widest draw, which might not be ideal, so gaining some form of track position may be key to his chances, though they are obvious given his raw ability.
Nearest to him in the market is not just another British raider, but another owned by Juddmonte. Cosmic Year is unbeaten in three, making a striking impression on all three starts. He bolted up twice on the all-weather, then stepped forward to win commandingly in Listed company at Newmarket. That form is working out well, and his draw is better than Field Of Gold’s, so he is a clear danger.
CONTENDERS
Aidan O’Brien can never be ignored in home games, but he has only won this race three times in the last decade. He has greater dominance in other contests, but in Officer and Expanded he has two live chances. The former won well over course and distance in his prep for this, and will likely be the yard number one, but Expanded was the sole Ballydoyle representative at Newmarket and may reasonably have needed the run. He is not ruled out just yet.
Meanwhile, in terms of juvenile form, Hotazhell may have the strongest of the lot. Jessica Harrington’s charge claimed the Group 1 Futurity Trophy over leading Derby contender Delacroix in October, as well as winning two other Group races. If he has trained on for his return, he is in contention, while Scorthy Champ is another with that to prove after his seventh in the 2000 Guineas despite Group 1-winning two-year-old form.
OUTSIDERS
Two of the remaining trio represent British yards. Windlord drops back in trip after finishing second in the 1m2f Classic Trial, but he has something to prove on form, for all he will definitely see this trip out. Drawn in stall 1 is Rashabar, whose only win came in the Group 2 Coventry Stakes at Royal Ascot, but Brian Meehan’s challenger has proven immensely consistent, twice finishing a close second in Group 1 company since, and has hope of seeing 1m out based on his second in the Greenham Stakes at Newbury on return. That form is decent too.
Last in is Comanche Brave for Donnacha O’Brien, though he too was second in a decent trial run. That came behind French 2000 Guineas winner Henri Matisse, and he was beaten just half-a-length (in receipt of 3lb) having travelled strongly, so could outrun his currently lofty odds.
Irish 2000 Guineas Predictions
There is depth to this competitive renewal of the Irish 2000 Guineas, but FIELD OF GOLD should have won at Newmarket and can make amends even from the widest draw. He looks a miler to side with throughout this season, so as long as he travels, he may simply have too much ability for his rivals. Cosmic Year is a big danger if he progresses further, with his Listed win at Newmarket working out well, while Expanded may be a bigger danger than Officer of the O’Brien duo. However, do not rule out a couple of the outsiders, as Rashabar has a good draw, and he and Comanche Brave both ran well in their trials to have a chance here.
- Field Of Gold
- Cosmic Year
- Comanche Brave
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