Irish 2,000 Guineas at the Curragh

the British and French Guineas have already been decided, now it´s the turn of the Irish, with a big meeting at the Curragh over the weekend. The 2,000 at 16.45 CET is the main feature today, with the fillies race due tomorrow. The field for the 2,000 Guineas is relatively small, with only 8 declared, and it looks a match between British challenger Dubawi Gold (Richard Hannon/ Richard Hughes - the team that scored a year ago with Canford Cliffs) and local hope Dunboyne Express (Kevin Prendergast/ Declan McDonough) whose veteran trainer won the race in 1976 (!). WE giv slight preferenc to the Hannon horse, runner-up t a rspectabl distance to Frankel in th Brotish quivalnt, with Slim Sgadey (Stan Moore/ Luke Morris) well back in fourth and Roderic O´Connor, one of 3 Aidan O´Brien runners now and partnered by son Joseph, even further behind. No real reason why they should do any better today, and Zabarajad (John Oxx/ Johnny Murtagh) could be the leading candidate for third place , even though still a maiden.

There are two more group races on the Curragh card today, as well as a listed race for 2yo´s at 15.40, with several promising types engaged; the two unbeaten runners Power (Aidan O´Brien/ Seamus Heffernan) and Fire Lily (David Wachman/ Wayne Lordan), both representing the same Coolmore owners, should dominate here. O´Brien can also take the Greenlands Stakes over 6 furlongs at 16.10 with the 3yo Sing Softly (Colm O´ Donoghue), who has the Yorkshire hopes Tiddliwinks (Kevin Ryan/ Pat Smullen) and Hitchens (David Barron/ Fran Berry) , 3rd and 4th in a strong York Group Two last time, to beat. The Equestrian Stakes for older fillies and mares over a mile at 17.20 looks difficult. Emulous (Dermot Weld/ Smullen) ran badly on very soft going last time, but is top-rated here and on better ground may be able to reverse that form with Lolly for Dolly (Tommy Stack/ Lordan), while we hope that Kinky Afro (Stan Moore/ Luke Morris) could run into a place at a big price.

Betting forecast:
1. Race: After - Janey Muddles - Remember Alexander
2. Race: Power - Fire Lily - Tough As Nails
3. Race: Tiddliwinks - Hitchens - Sing Softly
4. Race: Dubawi Gold - Dunboyne Express - Roderic O`Connor
5. Race: Lolly For Dolly - Termagant - Emulous
6. Race: Moran Gra - Park Ranger - Aznavour
7. Race: President Lincoln - Future Generation - Act Of Love