Ballylinch Stud 2,000 Guineas Trial Stakes (Listed)

Off time: 14:10 | Winning time: 1m 38.6s

(3)

Gustav Klimt^t²⁷³

Age: 3| Weight: 9-6| J: R L Moore| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 111| D

6/4

Last spotted winning the Group 2 Superlative Stakes at Newmarket in July on good to firm over 7f. Slight concern on this ground but gets the nod from Ryan Moore from Ballydoyle trio.

Form: 511-

(4)

U S Navy Flag^b,t¹⁶¹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-6| J: J A Heffernan| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 122| D

6/1

Experienced two-year-old last term, landing pair of Newmarket Group 1 wins the autumn over 6f/7f. Yet to encounter ground as testing as this, solid claims on ratings.

Form: 241110-

(1)

Imaging¹⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 9-3| J: Declan McDonogh| T: D K Weld| OR: 98| D

7/2

Easy winner of 7f Limerick maiden on heavy on second two-year-old outing, reappeared with ready Cork success over extended-mile last month. Handles the ground and fitness edge is a factor today.

Form: 21-1

(2)

Kenya^t¹⁷⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 9-3| J: D O'Brien| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 105| CD

2/1

Third Ballydoyle runner, won C&D Group 3 on final start last season, taking record to two wins from three starts. Bit to find on ratings but ground fine and entitled to come forward again.

Form: 311-

Forecasts

Gustav Klimt (6/4), Kenya (2/1), Imaging (7/2), U S Navy Flag (6/1)

A tough contest to asses, even with just a quartet of runners. Aidan O'Brien accounts for three of them, and the choice of Ryan Moore ensures that Gustav Klimt will be popular. U S Navy Flag achieved more last season however and is a major threat. On the forecast ground however, their stablemate KENYA could be best suited. The colt will almost certainly have improvement in his locker and gets the nod. Imaging also handles conditions and shouldn't be deemed out of this by any stretch.