Gleneagles (3.20) is not much of a price but there is simply no getting away from him as the probable winner of the Irish 2,000 Guineas at The Curragh, Saturday’s feature race. This has not been an entirely satisfying year for his trainer, Aidan O’Brien, who has so far failed to produce a serious Derby contender but with this colt he has an excellent chance of landing this prize for the sixth time in eight years.
One year ago, Gleneagles’s sister, Marvellous, won the Irish 1,000 Guineas this weekend. Gleneagles was bred to be good and has not disappointed, his only defeat having been on his racecourse debut last June, though he was also disqualified for interference in France in the autumn.
He travelled strongly through the Newmarket Guineas, finished powerfully and there is no real reason to expect a weaker performance this time. Easier ground should not be a difficulty on pedigree, though he has never been tested on anything softer than good.
Ivawood may have been slightly unfortunate with his draw at Newmarket as he was first home of those drawn towards the far side but he did not do enough to suggest he was an unlucky loser. The going may be more of a concern for him, as he probably needs a fast surface to stay a mile.
The each-way value could be Endless Drama at 20-1. Ger Lyons’s colt has been lightly raced and has probably not been seen to best advantage on very testing surfaces in two runs this year. He was not best suited by the way his most recent race panned out and I expect him to turn around the form with the useful Tombelaine.
1.45 Goodwood Grandeur has the course form, having scored on his last four visits here, but his form this year has been unconvincing. A chance is taken on the fitness of Remote, a half-brother to Kingman, who was last seen winning a Group Three at Royal Ascot two years ago. John Gosden has been very careful with this one and it is not as though he has been injured for the entire time that he has been away from the track. If he retains his ability, he will be dangerous at this level and it seems unlikely that connections would be persevering with him if he did not.
2.00 Haydock Twice a winner here in September, William Of Orange will be sharper for his reappearance second behind an impressive winner at Salisbury. Sir Mark Prescott’s gelding remains handicapped to win.
2.20 Goodwood Having met trouble in running on his Ascot reappearance, Rawaki looks the pick of these seven if getting a clearer passage.
2.35 Haydock Go Dan Go, winner of his last two races on a variety of surfaces, still looks fairly treated and may be well suited by this step up to what can be a sharp mile. This is seriously competitive but he is being overlooked at 10-1.
2.45 The Curragh Six furlongs on ground with some juice in it is likely to test the limits of Sole Power’s stamina. Gordon Lord Byron must come into the argument, though he might be better for this first outing since returning from Hong Kong. Maarek appeals most having been a fast-finishing fourth over a furlong shorter at Longchamp a fortnight ago.
2.55 Goodwood My Dream Boat, making his first start since joining Clive Cox from Donald McCain, showed serious improvement on his handicap debut to score at Doncaster last time. From a mark 8lb higher, he should have plenty more to offer.
3.10 Haydock We have not seen the best of Aetna so far this year but this drop back into Listed company and in a race restricted to fillies and mares may suit her. She has had excuses for her two defeats so far, scored at this level in November and will relish any cut in the ground.
3.45 Haydock This may be on the sharp side for the reappearing G Force, who must concede weight all round, so Goldream has a fine chance to build on his success in the Palace House Stakes three weeks ago. Sprint king Robert Cowell has wrought impressive progress from him in the past year and hopefully he does not need the ground to be as fast as it was at Newmarket last time.
