Tattersalls Irish 2,000 Guineas (Group 1)

Off time: 16:10 | Winning time: 1m 40.46s

(6)

Churchill²¹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: R L Moore| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 122| C| D

4/9

Sole defeat came on debut over 6f here on soft ground last May. Since won six races on the spin including Group 1 events on each of his last three starts. The most recent of those came in the 2000 Guineas at Newmarket (good-to-firm), a race in which he had a couple of today's rivals behind him and he looks likely to prove very hard to beat once more.

Form: 11111-1

(4)

Glastonbury Song³⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: Colin Keane| T: G M Lyons| OR: 105| D

20/1

Winner of two of his three starts to date including in a conditions event over 1m on the AW at Dundalk last time out. Previously finished a well beaten fifth behind a stablemate of Churchill's at Leopardstown (good-to-yielding) in a Listed event over 1m and more is needed if he's to take this contest.

Form: 1-51

(5)

Irishcorrespondent¹³

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: Shane Foley| T: M Halford| OR: 105| CD

7/1

Unbeaten in two starts to date winning on debut over 1m at Leopardstown (good-to-yielding) at Leopardstown last month and maintained his unbeaten record when an odds-on winner over this C&D on good ground a fortnight ago. Remains open to improvement.

Form: 11

(1)

Lancaster Bomber²¹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: D O'Brien| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 117

11/1

Beaten 2L by Thunder Snow over an extended 1m1f in a Group 2 contest on dirt at Meydan in March but stepped up considerably on that when beaten 1½L by Churchill in the 2000 Guineas at Newmarket (good-to-firm). Attempted to make all on that occasion and similar tactics look likely once more.

Form: 4522-44

(3)

Spirit of Valor^b,t²¹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: Seamie Heffernan| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 106

33/1

Only victory so far came winning over 6f at Naas (soft-to-heavy) last October. Well held the last twice including when eighth of ten in the 2000 Guineas at Newmarket (good-to-firm) last time out and more needed if he's to take this.

Form: 312-88

(2)

Thunder Snow²¹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: C Soumillon| T: S bin Suroor| OR: 118| D

5/1

Had a solid two-year-old campaign which saw him finish 2L fourth to Churchill at Newmarket (good) in the Dewhurst over 7f and followed that up with a 7f Group 1 win at Saint-Cloud (soft) in October. Unbeaten in two dirt starts in Dubai earlier this year but things went awry when kicking and bucking soon after leaving the stalls. Likely to run well if that experience has left no ill-effects.

Form: 241-110

Forecasts

Churchill (4/9), Thunder Snow (5/1), Irishcorrespondent (7/1), Lancaster Bomber (11/1), Glastonbury Song (20/1), Spirit of Valor (33/1)

It's hard to look passed Newmarket winner CHURCHILL in this feature race on today's card. The selection has beaten a number of today's rivals in the past and has leading jockey Ryan Moore in the saddle once more as he attempts to record his fourth consecutive win at the highest level. Irishcorrespondent is unbeaten in two outings and can register his first placing at the highest level by claiming second in this while Thunder Snow, runner-up to the selection in the Dewhurst last year and a Group 2 winner in Dubai prior to a wayward performance in the Kentucky Derby last time can finish third.