18:40 Curragh

Friday 12 June 2020

All16:0516:4017:1017:4018:1018:4019:1519:45

Tattersalls Irish 2,000 Guineas (Group 1)

Off time: 18:42 | Winning time: 1m 38.49s

(4)

Armory²²⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: Wayne Lordan| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 110| C

4/1

Wins last term included the Futurity Stakes over 7f here, and he ran well when beaten under 1L in the G1 Prix Jean Luc Lagardere in October. Excuses final start, and this tough colt demands respect.

Form: 111232-

(8)

Fiscal Rules²⁹⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: K J Manning| T: J S Bolger

16/1

Make Believe colt who shaped with huge promise when beaten a head by Wichita in a 7f maiden here in August. That form has worked out handsomely, but his inexperience is a worry for a race like this.

Form: 2-

(1)

Fort Myers²²⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: M C Hussey| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 107

28/1

Both wins last year at Dundalk, and ended the year with a creditable effort in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf. Has a fair bit to find on balance of form, though, and yard has better chances.

Form: 433417-

(7)

Free Solo³²³

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: Shane Foley| T: Mrs J Harrington| OR: 97| D

20/1

Promise on debut, and improved markedly to win a 1m maiden at Leopardstown in August, making all to win by 5L from Cabot Hills. Long absence is a worry, and this represents a marked step up in class.

Form: 31-

(9)

Lope Y Fernandez²⁵⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: Seamie Heffernan| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 107| C

9/2

Won a maiden and a Group 3 here last season, and bumped heads several times with Pinatubo. Forgiven his final run in the Middle Park, and has the physical scope to improve this year, so respected.

Form: 12316-

(10)

Monarch Of Egypt²⁴⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: Declan McDonogh| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 111

14/1

Beaten by Siskin in both the Railway Stakes and Phoenix Stakes here last year, although reduced the margin to ¾L on latter occasion. Flopped in Middle Park and Dewhurst afterwards, but probably capable of getting back on track after an absence.

Form: 12285-

(11)

Rebel Tale²⁷²

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: Ben Coen| T: A Slattery| OR: 104

125/1

Ran much his best race last term when second to Armory in the Futurity Stakes here, but just a respectable fourth to Mogul in Champions Juvenile Stakes at Leopardstown after, and has a bit to find on balance.

Form: 413324-

(3)

Royal Lytham^b1³⁰⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: E J McNamara| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 111

14/1

Won the July Stakes at Newmarket last year, and improved when beaten less than 1L behind Siskin in the Phoenix Stakes when last seen. Absence is a concern, as is the decision to fit blinkers for the first time.

Form: 1713-

(6)

Sinawann²⁷²

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: Ronan Whelan| T: M Halford| OR: 104| CD

14/1

Improved from debut to win a C&D maiden in August, and made further progress when a good second of 7 to Mogul in Champions Juvenile Stakes at Leopardstown on final 2-y-o start. Can improve further, and has each-way claims.

Form: 512-

(2)

Siskin³⁰⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: Colin Keane| T: G M Lyons| OR: 114| C

2/1

Unbeaten as a juvenile, his biggest win coming over Monarch of Egypt and Royal Lytham in the G1 Phoenix Stakes here. Got upset at the stalls and withdrawn before the Dewhurst, but leading claims if that experience isn't repeated.

Form: 1111-

(5)

Vatican City²²⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: P B Beggy| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 93

14/1

Showed a fair bit despite being unplaced on debut at Newmarket in October, and improved markedly when winning at Dundalk (7f) later that month. Has bags of potential, but inexperience a concern.

Form: 51-

Forecasts

Siskin (2/1), Armory (4/1), Lope Y Fernandez (9/2), Vatican City (14/1), Sinawann (14/1), Monarch Of Egypt (14/1), Royal Lytham (14/1), Fiscal Rules (16/1), Free Solo (20/1), Fort Myers (28/1), Rebel Tale (125/1)

Siskin is the one to beat having gone unbeaten here last year, but his experience in the Dewhurst is a worry, as is the fact that he has stamina to prove. If he stays, he ought to go well, but that's a risk at his price. MONARCH OF EGYPT, who has a similar chance on form, is a huge price after flopping in the autumn, but that is no indicator of his ability, and he might be worth chancing for a yard with no peers. Stablemates Armory and Lope Y Fernandez are others who have the class to bounce back from disappointing efforts at the end of their respective juvenile campaigns, while Michael Halford's Sinawann is progressing nicely, and can't be dismissed.