Irish 2,000 Guineas at the Curragh

the classic season in Ireland kicks off today with the Irish 2,000 Guineas at 16.20 at the Curragh. Aidan O´Brien has won this 9 times already and seems almost certain to win it for a tenth time. He has 3 runners with Gleneagles (Ryan Moore) clearly the pick and expected to go off at long odds-on. He has passed the post first in all his 6 career starts so far, although he was disqualified and put back to third after winning the Lagardere at Longchamp on Arc day last year. That form was still good enough to win here, but even more impressive was his victory in the 2,000 Guineas at Newmarket on his seasonal debut this year. Ivawood (Richard Hannon/ Richard Hughes) was 3 lengths third that day; there seems to be no reason why he should reverse that form, but he could be placed again. Belardo (Roiger Varian/ James Doyle) won the Dewhurst last year, but was very disappointing on his seasonal reappearance; however the stable is in better form now and we expect a much improved importance. Tombelaine (Dermot Weld/ Pat Smullen) beat Endless Drama (Ger Lyons/ Andrea Atzeni) half a length over 7 furlongs here and are the next best, but it is hard to see any of the other runners getting involved.

This main feature is supported by two Group Two races, although the mile race for 4yo and older fillies and mares at 16.55 looks a bit substandard. Dermot Weld has brought Brooch (Pat Smullen) along very carefully and she has won all her 3 starts, showing improved form each time; she Looks the only filly in the field who is a genuine performer at this level and should win. Pelerin (Marco Botti/ Moore) who ended last year by winning a listed race on the all-weather, and Tommy Stack´s two runners could take the next 3 places, with Lady Dutch (Botti/ Atzeni) next.

The 6 furlongs race at 15.45 has a much stronger field and Ireland´s top 3 sprinters of recent years are all entered: Sole Power (Eddie Lynam/ Richard Hughes), Gordon Lord Byron (Tom Hogan/ Wayne Lordan) and Maarek (Eva McCutcheon/ Seamie Heffernan). Between them they have won all the top sprints in Dubai, at Royal Ascot and Longchamp and probably Sole Power is the best of them, but six furlongs on yielding going is not ideal, so the other two are preferred. But Weld and Smullen have another strong candidate here in Mustajeeb, who won the Jersey at Royal Ascot last year and is now down in distance. He looks a good each-way bet.

In a ridiculous clash, there is also a Group Two sprint in England, the Temple Stakes over 5 furlongs at 16.45 at Haydock. The first 5 from last year reappear here, Hot Streak, Pearl Secret, oldtimer Kingsgate Native, Justice Day and Jack Dexter, but our preference is for the recent Newmarket winner Goldream (Robert Cowell/ Martin Harley), who is expected to take high rank among the U.K. sprinters this year.

Betting forecast:
1. Race: Ballydoyle - Dewdrop - Dancing On Air
2. Race: Round Two - Washington Dc - State Of Emergency
3. Race: Sole Power - Mustajeeb - Gordon Lord Byron
4. Race: Ivawood - Belardo - Tombelaine
5. Race: Brooch - Pelerin - Ramone
6. Race: King Of Aragon - Tuk Tuk - Xebec
7. Race: Portage - Ripples Effect - Tennessee Wildcat