15:35 Curragh

Saturday 25 May 2019

All13:5014:2515:0015:3516:1016:4517:20

Tattersalls Irish 2,000 Guineas (Group 1)

Off time: 15:40 | Winning time: 1m 36.52s

(8)

Decrypt³⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: Billy Lee| T: P Twomey| OR: 105| C

20/1

Shaped nicely here on debut before winning what looks like a hot 6f maiden here on second start. Bolted up at Cork (7f) on his reappearance and shaped like another step up in trip could suit. Up in class but he's an interesting runner here.

Form: 21-1

(10)

Emaraaty Ana²¹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: Andrea Atzeni| T: K A Ryan| OR: 109

66/1

Won a Group 2 at York as a juvenile before a respectable fifth in the Middle Park at Newmarket. Shaped like a non-stayer in the English 2,000 Guineas when finishing 18th of 19, trying 1m for the first time. Has a fair amount to prove at present.

Form: 1315-0

(7)

Globe Theatre⁶²

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: P B Beggy| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 81

150/1

Promising debut and still looked green when a close up fourth of 14 in a Dundalk maiden in October. Another promising effort on reappearance at Naas in March but would need a huge step forward to play any part here.

Form: 04-5

(6)

Guaranteed^t¹³

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: K J Manning| T: J S Bolger| OR: 103| C

100/1

Won a Group 3 at the end of last season at Leopardstown but that form hasn't worked out well and he's been well below that level in two Leopardstown starts so far this season. Drops in trip and has plenty to prove at this level.

Form: 5721-66

(12)

Hillwalker^t1³³⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: Rory Cleary| T: T Cleary| OR: 90

100/1

Shaped well on debut when fourth of 14 behind reopposing Decrypt and that was a decent maiden. Beat a subsequent Listed winner at Gowran two weeks later and gave the impression he would appreciate the step up in trip. Wears first-time tongue-tie.

Form: 41-

(4)

I Am Superman¹⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: Leigh Roche| T: M O'Callaghan| OR: 101| BF| D

66/1

Showed some promise as a juvenile and delivering on that this season, winning a 15 runner race at Leopardstown on handicap debut before bolting up at Naas next time. A bit too keen here last time out and the step back up in trip in his favour here.

Form: 256-115

(9)

Magna Grecia²¹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: R L Moore| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 118| D

6/4

Signed off his two-year-old career with a fine win in a Doncaster Group 1 and mightily impressive when bolting up in the 2,000 Guineas at Newmarket. Possibly favoured by a draw bias that day but a class act for sure and hard to beat here.

Form: 121-1

(13)

Mohawk¹⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: D O'Brien| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 112| D

16/1

Royal Lodge winner as a juvenile and put up a respectable effort when runner-up in the Dee Stakes at Chester last time. Much more on his plate here though, particularly back at this trip and Magna Grecia looks like the yard's first-string.

Form: 13417-2

(3)

Old Glory²¹⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: Wayne Lordan| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 103

25/1

Won a Naas maiden on debut and has run well in defeat since being upped in class subsequently, runner-up in Listed class at Dundalk before third of 10 in a Leopardstown Group 3. Steps up in trip; likely pace angle.

Form: 123-

(1)

Phoenix Of Spain²¹⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: J P Spencer| T: C Hills| OR: 112

16/1

Group 3 winner as a juvenile and unlucky when nabbed on the line in a Doncaster Group 1 in October by Magna Grecia. Remains open to improvement and interesting on his reappearance here with stamina proven.

Form: 41122-

(5)

Shelir¹⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: Chris Hayes| T: D K Weld| OR: 101| C| D

25/1

Unbeaten in two starts, showing a game attitude to hang on in a maiden on debut before a Listed win here earlier this month, despite over-racing a little in the early stages. More to come back up in trip here.

Form: 11

(2)

Skardu²¹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: James Doyle| T: W J Haggas| OR: 111| D

13/2

Group 3 winner at Newmarket on return and excellent third of 19 in the 2,000 Guineas last time out, winning the race from those in the main group. May be able to get closer to Magna Grecia here still open to improvement.

Form: 1-13

(11)

Too Darn Hot⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: L Dettori| T: J & T Gosden| OR: 126| BF| D

6/4

Lost his unbeaten record in the Dante at York last time but seemingly failed to stay and still performed with credit. Group 1 winner as a juvenile and he remains an exciting prospect at 1m; can often fail to settle though.

Form: 1111-2

(14)

Van Beethoven¹³

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

66/1

Excellent fourth in the Windsor Castle (5f) at Royal Ascot before winning a Group 2 next time out over 6f here. Yet to convince that he wants this sort of trip though and he was well beaten at Longchamp last time out.

Form: 754-496

Forecasts

Too Darn Hot (6/4), Magna Grecia (6/4), Skardu (13/2), Phoenix Of Spain (16/1), Mohawk (16/1), Decrypt (20/1), Old Glory (25/1), Shelir (25/1), I Am Superman (66/1), Van Beethoven (66/1), Emaraaty Ana (66/1), Guaranteed (100/1), Hillwalker (100/1), Globe Theatre (150/1)

Aidan O'Brien sends five runners in his bid for his eighth Irish 2,000 Guineas success since 2008 and MAGNA GRECIA will be his main hope. The son of Invincible Spirit was impressive when bolting up in his Classic success at Newmarket earlier this month and a reproduction of that run should see him go close here. Skardu looked a little unlucky with the draw that day and is one worth noting while Too Darn Hot is a threat to all back in trip, particularly if he can get cover and settle better.