The return to action of Battaash in the Armstrong Aggregates Temple Stakes at Haydock this Saturday is attracting plenty of media interest but there is Group 1 action in the British Isles this weekend in the form of the Tattersalls Irish 2000 Guineas and 1000 Guineas at the Curragh.
Irish 2000 Guineas History and Trends
The €350,000 Tattersalls Irish 2000 Guineas is a Group 1 race run over a mile at the Curragh. It is open three-year-old colts and fillies but the fairer sex also have their own race, the 1000 Guineas, the following day so few take on the boys.
First run in 1921, it comes three weeks after the English version so suits late-developing types. The mile course at the Curragh is also run around a bend so differs from Newmarket in that respect. Nine colts have completed the English 2000 Guineas/Irish 2000 Guineas double – Churchill last year the latest. But this year’s Newmarket winner is heading to Epsom for the Derby en route to a possible tilt at the Triple Crown.
Aidan O’Brien has won the 11 times, seven in the last 10 years, and is again strongly represented with four runners in a final field of 11.
- All of the last 16 winners had run within the previous three weeks
- All but two of the last 16 winners had won over at least 7f and had last raced at Newmarket
- Almost three-quarters of the last winners were drawn in stall four or lower
Irish 2000 Guineas Winners Since 2002
2017 – Churchill (4/9 fav)
2016 – Awtaad (9/2)
2015 – Gleneagles (2/5 fav)
2014 – Kingman (4/5 fav)
2013 – Magician (10/3)
2012 – Power (5/1)
2011 – Roderic O’Connor (7/2)
2010 – Canford Cliffs (9/4 fav)
2009 – Mastercraftsman (6/4 fav)
2008 – Henrythenavigator (5/4)
2007 – Cockney Rebel (6/4 fav)
2006 – Araafa (12/1)
2005 – Dubawi(7/4 jfav)
2004 – Bachelor(12/1)
2003 – Indian Haven (8/1)
2002 – Rock Of Gibraltar (4/7 fav)
U S Navy Flag was a smart two-year-old, winning the Middle Park and Dewhurst Stakes at Newmarket and beating Landshark in an earlier run at the Curragh. But he ran 10 times and has not exactly covered himself in glory two runs this season, finishing tailed off behind stablemate Gustav Klimt in a 2000 Guineas Trial at Leopardstown last month. I can’t understand why he’s only a general 3/1 while the Qipco 2000 Guineas fifth is widely available at 7/2.
Gustav Klimt has ground to make up on Elarqam, however, and Mark Johnston’s colt looks a deserving favourite at the general 7/4. Unbeaten last year, the North Yorkshire raider was fourth to Saxon Warrior at Newmarket on his first try over a mile. He has the early speed to take advantage of an inside draw and is clearly the one to beat with recent rain also in his favour but ZIBHA is available at four times the current price (8/1) with Irish bookies Boylesports and offers more value.
Fozzy Stack’s Choisir colt obviously needs to improve a few pounds to trouble the likes of Elarqam and Gustav Klimt but he didn’t make his debut until December. He showed increased maturity to beat older horses on his Turf debut in a Group 3 at Leopardstown earlier this month and is only now growing into his imposing frame. There is more to come and the inclusion of a Ballydoyle pacemaker in the 2000 Guineas should ensure he gets his preferred end-to-end gallop.
Irish 2000 Guineas Current Best Odds
Elarqam 7/4, U S Navy Flag 3/1, Gustav Klimt 7/2, Zihba 8/1, Symbolization 14/1, Would Be King 20/1, Romanised and Threeandfourpence 33/1, Spanish Point and Landshark 50/1, Theobald 66/1
