*All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widgets, while odds in copy are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change
Hi Royal, Royal Scotsman and Galeron renew rivalries in the first Classic of the season in Ireland.
The second, third and fourth in the 2000 Guineas at Newmarket are among the field of 11 bidding for success in the Irish equivalent at the Curragh.
Ballydoyle master Aidan O’Brien is seeking a record-extending 12th victory in the race and he fires three darts at Saturday’s 15:40 in the form of Paddington, Cairo and Age Of Kings.
The latest Irish 2000 Guineas odds are on the Paddy Power website and Paddy Power app, otherwise Timeform’s guide to the runners as well as betting tips from the racing boffins can be found below.
Irish 2000 Guineas tips
Timeform: ROYAL SCOTSMAN did really well to finish as close as he did when third in the 2000 Guineas at Newmarket given how things panned out for him (pulled hard and met trouble) and he certainly has the ability to win this if settling better. Hi Royal finished half a length in front of the selection that day so is an obvious contender, while the progressive Paddington must be respected for a yard that has won this a record 11 times.
Irish 2000 Guineas runners
Age Of Kings
Trainer: Aidan O’Brien Jockey: Seamie Heffernan Age: 3 Weight: 9st 2lbs Draw: 11
Lightly-raced winner. Course winner. 15/8, 1½ lengths third of 5 to Proud And Regal in Tyros Stakes at Leopardstown (7f, good), needing stronger gallop. Off 10 months. Looks yard third string.
**
Alexander John
Trainer: Luke Comer Jockey: N. M. Crosse Age: 3 Weight: 9st 2lbs Draw: 5
Fair colt. 14/1, below form seventh of 18 in maiden at this course (6f, heavy) 41 days ago. Significantly up in trip. Tongue strap on for 1st time. Out of his depth.
*
Bold Discovery
Trainer: Mrs J. Harrington Jockey: William James Lee Age: 3 Weight: 9st 2lbs Draw: 10
Lightly-raced winner. 8 lengths fifth of 6 to Paddington in listed race at this C&D (soft, 5/2) 26 days ago. Plenty to find.
**
Cairo
Trainer: Aidan O’Brien Jockey: W. M. Lordan Age: 3 Weight: 9st 2lbs Draw: 4
Useful colt. C&D winner. Latest win at Dundalk in March. Well-beaten tenth of 13 to Derma Sotogake in UAE Derby (9/4) at Meydan (9.4f) 63 days ago. Ryan Moore prefers Paddington.
***
Charyn
Trainer: Roger Varian Jockey: David Egan Age: 3 Weight: 9st 2lbs Draw: 6
Useful colt. Bit below form 10¼ lengths eighth of 14 to Chaldean in 2000 Guineas at Newmarket (8f, heavy, 66/1) 21 days ago. Has work do to.
**
Galeron
Trainer: Charles Hills Jockey: C. T. Keane Age: 3 Weight: 9st 2lbs Draw: 8
Useful colt. Course winner. Very good 5 lengths fourth of 14 to Chaldean in 2000 Guineas at Newmarket (8f, heavy, 150/1) 21 days ago. Frame claims once again.
***
Hi Royal
Trainer: Kevin Ryan Jockey: Oisin Murphy Age: 3 Weight: 9st 2lbs Draw: 2
Lightly-raced winner. Huge improvement when 1¾ lengths second of 14 to Chaldean in 2000 Guineas (125/1) at Newmarket (8f, heavy) 21 days ago, always to the fore. Should make a bold bid.
****
Paddington
Trainer: Aidan O’Brien Jockey: Ryan Moore Age: 3 Weight: 9st 2lbs Draw: 3
Improved again when completing hat-trick in 6-runner listed race at this C&D (soft) 26 days ago by 1½ lengths from Drumroll. Main contender for yard that has won this a record 11 times.
****
Proud And Regal
Trainer: Donnacha Aidan O’Brien Jockey: G. M. Ryan Age: 3 Weight: 9st 2lbs Draw: 9
Group 1 winner over this trip at 2 yrs in France (Criterium International at Saint-Cloud). Respectable 5½ lengths third of 8 to Sprewell in Derby Trial Stakes at Leopardstown (10f, heavy, 6/4) on return 20 days ago. Should be sharper for that and can make presence felt.
****
Quar Shamar
Trainer: Mrs J. Harrington Jockey: Shane Foley Age: 3 Weight: 9st 2lbs Draw: 1
Twice-raced winner. Won 12-runner maiden at Dundalk (8f, 16/1) 43 days ago, driven out. This a massive ask.
**
Royal Scotsman
Trainer: Paul & Oliver Cole Jockey: Jamie Spencer Age: 3 Weight: 9st 2lbs Draw: 7
Smart colt. 11/1, excellent 2¼ lengths third of 14 to Chaldean in 2000 Guineas at Newmarket (8f, heavy) 21 days ago, nearest finish despite refusing to settle. Needs things to drop right but looks the class act.
*****
Saturday’s Racing Tips
- Matt Chapman’s ITV Racing tips for the Curragh, Goodwood, Haydock and York
- Mick Fitzgerald’s horse racing tips for the Curragh
- Jason Weaver’s ITV Racing tips for the Curragh, Goodwood, Haydock and York
- Ruby Walsh’s tips for the Curragh on Saturday
Read More
- Gallop over to Paddy Power News for all the latest horse racing tips
- When is the Irish 2000 Guineas? Curragh date, start time, runners and betting
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