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IRISH 2000 GUINEAS
The Irish 2000 Guineas has only seven runners, four of whom
are supplied by Aiden O’Brien.
The one to beat is O’Brien’s English 2000 Guineas
winner, Rock Of Gibraltar. The son of Danehill (responsible for 1997 winner
Desert King) was a game winner of the English equivalent over high class Hawk
Wing.
To be ridden by Michael
Kinane, Rock of Gibraltar looks to give his sire his third classic win of the
season.
The biggest threat to the
favourite, the sole Group 1 winner in the field, could be his stablemates, Della
Francesca and Century City. The latter, a beautifully bred son of Danzig from the
family of Officer, Buckpasser and Outstandingly, was very disappointing in the
French 2000 Guineas. He ran well in the Craven Stakes but will need to improve
to trouble Rock of Gibraltar.
Century City could be the
bigger danger to the favourite. Another well bred son of Danzig, (out of the late
Canadian Horse of the Year, Alywow) Century City won his last two starts
including the Tetrarch Stakes. (The last three runnings of the Tetrarch were won
by Danzig colts). Century City looks a good bet to finish second.
Sights on Gold was a
narrow second to Century City in the Tetrarch and the Dermot Weld trainee should
run into the money. The son of Indian Ridge is from the family of 1996 Irish
2000 Guineas winner Spinning World.
SELECTION:
1. Rock of Gibraltar
2. Century City
3. Sights on Gold
IRISH
1000 GUINEAS
The Irish 1000 Guineas
looks to be a more open race with the disappointing English 1000 Guineas
favourite Gossamer supported to make amends. The sister to Irish 2000 Guineas
hero Barathea was unbeaten before her flop in the English equivalent but needs
to show she is back to her best.
Barathea is represented by
Alasha, a flying third in the English Guineas. She is the only one of the first
three home at Newmarket in the race. Sir Michael Stoute won this race with the
top filly Sonic Lady in 1986. Kieran Fallon will be looking forward to some
better fortune and Alasha is the one to beat. The form of the English 1000
Guineas received a boost when Dolores, fourth at Newmarket, won a listed race on
her next start.
The biggest threat to the
fancied pair could come via French 1000 Guineas heroine, Zenda. The daughter of
Zamindar will only run if the ground is not too soft, but if she runs she will
be right there. On her form with Sophisticat, Alasha and Gossamer will need to
be at their best to beat her. The John Gosden trained filly is out of a sister
to Irish Oaks winner, Wemyss Bight.
Kournakova has been well
supported and the well bred daughter of Sadler’s Wells is trained by Aiden
O’Brien, twice successful in this race, in 2001 and 1997. She is a close
relative of Godolphin star, Kutub, and a half sister to Coronation Stakes winner
Shake The Yoke. She was third in the Prix Marcel Boussac last season and was
second on her seasonal debut to Rum Charger. On that occasion, she defeated
subsequent Group 3 winner Marionnaud.
Rum Charger is one of two
daughters of promising sire Spectrum. The son of Rainbow Quest is
also represented by improving sire, Marionnaud.
SELECTION:
1. Alasha
2. Gossamer
3. Zenda
TATTERSALLS
GOLD CUP
The supporting race on
Irish 1000 Guineas day is the Tattersalls Gold Cup, won by Fantastic Light last
year. This year sees Nayef make his reappearance since winning the Dubai Sheema
Classic on Dubai World Cup night.
The son of Gulch is on a
five win streak and seems to thrive from race to race. The handsome bay has been
very impressive in his last two wins in the Sheema Classic and Champion Stakes.
The last race saw him defeat dual Group 1 winner Tobougg and subsequent Earl of
Sefton winner, Indian Creek. Unfuwain’s half brother is the one to beat and his
class should see him win.
Rebelline became the first
horse to defeat champion Johannesburg in the Gladness Stakes. The Robellino
filly is classy and should run well even if it is hard to see her defeating the
favourite.
Chancellor won the Gordon
Richard Stakes last time out but this son of Halling would like the going to be
on the soft side. Indian Creek seems held on the Champion Stakes form but is
improving and may give the more fancied runners something to think about.
Bach is a game and
talented front runner who ran well in the Breeders Cup Mile when third to Val
Royal. The son of Caerleon and Group 1 winner Producer, won the Royal Whip Stakes
last year and was third to Fantastic Light and stablemate Galileo in the Irish
Champion Stakes.
SELECTION:
1. Nayef
2. Indian Creek
3. Bach
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