14:35 Leopardstown

Saturday 2 April 2022

All14:0014:3515:1015:4516:2016:5517:25

Ballylinch Stud 'Red Rocks' 2,000 Guineas Trial Stakes (Listed)

Off time: 14:35 | Winning time: 1m 30.06s

(5)

Dr Zempf¹⁸⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-5| J: Colin Keane| T: G M Lyons| OR: 111

11/10

Lightly-raced winner. 9/2, not disgraced when close eighth of 10 to Perfect Power in Middle Park Stakes at Newmarket (6f, good to firm). Holds leading claims on form.

Form: 1428-

(1)

Exquisite Acclaim^p¹⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 9-5| J: S Foley| T: Mrs J Harrington| OR: 93

22/1

Fairly useful colt. Winner at Dundalk in September. Good second of 8 in minor event (3/1) at Dundalk (6f) 10 days ago. Uphill task in this company, though.

Form: 56414-2

(4)

Glounthaune¹⁴⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 9-5| J: R L Moore| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 104| CD

10/3

Useful colt. Two wins from 3 runs last year. 121/10, 9¼ lengths twelfth of 13 to Modern Games in Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf at Del Mar (8f, firm). C&D winner, and no surprise to see him back in the picture here.

Form: 1610-

(6)

Howth¹⁶⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 9-5| J: Wayne Lordan| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 102

20/1

Useful colt. 10 lengths last of 9 to Glounthaune in Killavullan Stakes (18/1) at this C&D (good to soft). Off 168 days but he's no forlorn hope for top yard.

Form: 418459-

(3)

Mctigue¹⁶¹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-5| J: K J Manning| T: J S Bolger| OR: 91| C

9/1

Course winner. Not disgraced when 12½ lengths sixth of 8 to Luxembourg in Futurity Trophy at Doncaster (8f, heavy, 33/1). Yard have also won past two runnings of this event, so he could easily play a part here.

Form: 416-

(2)

Morning Soldier²⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-5| J: W J Lee| T: T Mullins| OR: 88| D

50/1

Winner at Dundalk in October. Very good 6 lengths second of 8 to Juncture in listed race at Dundalk (8f, 66/1) 29 days ago. This is tougher but he's still respected.

Form: 917-2

(7)

New Energy¹⁶⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 9-5| J: Robbie Colgan| T: S Lavery| OR: 96| D

11/2

Curragh debut winner before 2½ lengths eighth of 9 to Glounthaune in Killavullan Stakes at this C&D (good to soft). Remains with potential, so he needs considering.

Form: 18-

(8)

The Acropolis¹⁶⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 9-5| J: E J McNamara| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 100

12/1

Useful colt. 18/1, good 1½ lengths fifth of 9 to Glounthaune in Killavullan Stakes at this C&D (good to soft). Possibilities.

Form: 984375-

Forecasts

Dr Zempf (11/10), Glounthaune (10/3), New Energy (11/2), Mctigue (9/1), The Acropolis (12/1), Howth (20/1), Exquisite Acclaim (22/1), Morning Soldier (50/1)

DR ZEMPF signed off last term with a creditable eighth in the Middle Park and holds the clear edge on form so is fancied to regain winning ways before tackling better company once more. Glounthaune looks the pick of Aidan O'Brien's trio and is rated next best with Mctigue a lively outsider for a yard bidding to complete a hat-trick in this event.