Favourite Rosallion is set to face seven rivals including stablemate Haatem in the Irish 2000 Guineas on Saturday.
The Richard Hannon-trained pair finished second and third respectively in the Newmarket equivalent earlier this month, but they are the only runners from that race that take their chance at the Curragh.
Their principal rivals come from Ballydoyle as Aidan O’Brien pitches three into the mix, with Unquestionable bringing the best form of the trio to the table courtesy of last season’s 1l defeat to Rosallion in the Group 1 Grand Criterium.
The Wootton Bassett colt subsequently beat reopposing stablemate Mountain Bear by 1½l in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf, while River Tiber brings a speedy profile to proceedings as he takes a significant step up in trip from running over 6f last season.
Atlantic Coast, Bright Stripes and Take Me To Church complete the field for the first Classic of the season in Ireland.
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 verdict
Timeform: ROSALLION can confirm Newmarket superiority over his stablemate Haatem and land a second Group 1 success of his career. Ryan Moore partners Middle Park runner-up River Tiber and he may prove best of the Ballydoyle trio.
*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
Irish 2000 Guineas runners and riders
The following horses have been declared for the Irish 2000 Guineas 2024.
Atlantic Coast
Trainer: Joseph Patrick O’Brien Jockey: D. B. McMonagle Age: 3 Weight: 9st 2lbs Draw: 4
Lightly-raced Group 3 winner. 20¾ lengths seventh of 8 to Battle Cry in Leopardstown 2000 Guineas Trial (7f, heavy, 3/1) on reappearance 48 days ago, finishing tired. Tongue strap reached for after that.
**
Bright Stripes
Trainer: Andrew Oliver Jockey: William James Lee Age: 3 Weight: 9st 2lbs Draw: 3
Useful colt. Career best when winning 5-runner listed race over C&D (soft) 19 days ago by length from Norwalk Havoc, comfortably. Plenty to find at this level, though.
**
Haatem
Trainer: Richard Hannon Jockey: Jamie Spencer Age: 3 Weight: 9st 2lbs Draw: 7
Smart effort to win Craven on Newmarket reappearance. Backed that up when 3¼ lengths third of 11 to Notable Speech in 2000 Guineas there but Rosallion was 1¾ lengths ahead in second. Likely to go well but his stablemate may prove too strong again.
****
Mountain Bear
Trainer: Aidan O’Brien Jockey: Declan McDonogh Age: 3 Weight: 9st 2lbs Draw: 8
Smart colt. Course winner. 223/10, good 1½ lengths second of 11 to stablemate Unquestionable in Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf at Santa Anita (1m, firm) when last seen in November.
***
River Tiber
Trainer: Aidan O’Brien Jockey: Ryan Moore Age: 3 Weight: 9st 2lbs Draw: 5
Smart colt. 11/4, creditable 2¼ lengths third of 9 to Vandeek in Middle Park Stakes at Newmarket (6f, good to firm) on final 2-y-o start. Steps up 2f in trip on reappearance.
***
Rosallion
Trainer: Richard Hannon Jockey: Sean Levey Age: 3 Weight: 9st 2lbs Draw: 6
Group 1 winner over 7f at 2 and saw out the mile well when excellent 1½ lengths second of 11 to Notable Speech in 2000 Guineas at Newmarket on reappearance 3 weeks ago. Reopposing stablemate Haatem was 1¾ lengths back in third on that occasion. Hard to beat.
*****
Take Me To Church
Trainer: Jack W. Davison Jockey: R. P. Whelan Age: 3 Weight: 9st 2lbs Draw: 1
Useful colt. 2 wins from 3 runs this year. Below form 8½ lengths fourth of 8 to Battle Cry in Leopardstown 2000 Guineas Trial (7f, heavy, 3/1) 48 days ago. Easy to look elsewhere.
*
Unquestionable
Trainer: Aidan O’Brien Jockey: W. M. Lordan Age: 3 Weight: 9st 2lbs Draw: 2
Chased home Rosallion in Longchamp Group 1 last October before ending his 2-y-o campaign with a win in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf at Santa Anita (1m, firm). Thereabouts on form but Ryan Moore seemingly prefers River Tiber.
***
Saturday’s Racing Tips
- Matt Chapman’s horse racing tips for the Curragh, Goodwood, Haydock and York
- Mick Fitzgerald’s horse racing tips for 2000 Guineas Day at the Curragh
- Ruby Walsh’s horse racing tips for the Curragh, Goodwood, Haydock and York
- Jason Weaver’s horse racing tips for Saturday on ITV3
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