Irish 2000 Guineas at the Curragh

Curragh, Saturday 27 May: Big decisions for the Derby year at the Curragh this weekend. Today the Irish 2000 Guineas (5th race/16.40 h/500.000 Euro/1609 m) are on the programme.

Eleven stallions will compete in the classic and the role of favourites is shared by Royal Scotsman (Jamie Spencer) and Hi Royal (Oisin Murphy), who already set a scent mark as runners-up in the English 2000 Guineas. Fifth-placed Galeron (Colin Keane) also ran well, but things will not get any easier for him. Paddington (Ryan Moore) made a strong impression in his latest win here at List level. He is the responsibility of Aidan O`Brien, who also saddles UAE Derby unplaced Cairo (Wayne Lordan) and Age Of Kings (Seamie Heffernan) with outside chances. Another O`Brien horse is Proud And Regal (Gavin Ryan), who made his name winning the Criterium International (Group 1) at Saint-Cloud.