Irish 2,000 Guineas 2013

3.20 Curragh

Tattersalls Irish 2,000 Guineas (group 1) (Class 1)  (3YO only)

Winner €173,999

Advice: 2 pts win Van Der Neer (7/2 general)

Ask Dad: Second string for Johnny Murtagh in his first classic as trainer; Useful form last season, when sixth in Windsor Castle and second to subsequent group placed Al Waab; Beaten long way on reappearance and others make more appeal.

First Cornerstone: Made impressive progress so far in just the three runs, landing Listed event at 33-1 and four runner Fruity Stakes at Curragh, both in testing conditions; Fourth in Racing Post Trophy behind Van Der Neer last year is now shaping up very well following that one’s third in Guineas, but this first run of season and will want further.

Flying The Flag: Used as pacemaker for Group 1 event here in September, having been second to First Cornerstone in a four-runner Group 2 contest over 7f here last August after winning a Leopardstown maiden first time out; Blocked run when ninth in the French 2,000 Guineas and can do better, for all that looked a weak race at time and behind Gale Force Ten.

Fort Knox: Significant potential (hinted at being group class certainly), when a decisive winner for Richard Hannon at Newbury over 6f after flat debut; 1m Listed win at Leopardstown for Jockey/Trainer Johnny Murtagh of great potential, and sure to progress from that physically at least (ran only three times) so can go well here for all this a step up in class.

Gale Force Ten: Ran some excellent races in defeat during six race 2yo campaign, second in the Norfolk behind Reckless Abandon and then also same horse in Middle Park; Continued in same vein when winning at Dundalk in good style and then also coming fourth in the French 2,000 Guineas (ahead of Flying The Flag); That form gives him a live chance on literal reading.

George Vancouver: One of the best 2yos around by the end of last year after difficult mid-season, but 1m and fast ground the making of him as impressive Breeders’ Cup win showed, and didn’t get that on reappearance at Newmarket, so can do better than his midfield finish here and one of the more appealing of the Ballydoyle battalion.

Havana Gold: Progressive juvenile who could well have won his first five races had he not unseated on third outing at Deauville; Only a short head behind Gale Force Ten in the Poulains and closely matched on that form, but his four length second to Toronado would suggest that he has a little ground to make on Van Der Neer; Can go well.

Magican: On and off as a two year old, breaking maiden over 1m on third start and then being eased after being hampered in Group 3 at Leopardstown; Clearly much improved based on eviden of wide margin Dee Stakes win and interesting that he’s the choice of Joseph O’Brien but that was an extremely weak race where he did all his best world at the end of 1m2f (notable strong late on) and this will be a very different test for him in terms of both class and distance, and to be frank, looks vulnerable.

Trading Leather: Very encouraging debut when second to Battle Of Marengo (had experience, since won Beresford) and since bolted up in maiden at Gorwran before finding more to win hotly contested Autumn Stakes; Return in Dante Stakes was extremely encouraging considering that he hadn’t had a run compared to most of principals, but looks to be a middle distance type.

Van Der Neer: Significant potential shown when winning first two starts and then second in the Racing Post Trophy (may not have enjoyed the soft ground, had First Cornerstone and Trading Leather behind), and began 3yo season in fine style when comfortably winning Listed contest on AW before then staying on late to fine effect in 2,000 Guineas, taking third off the line from Toronado; Should go well today and that arguably strongest form.  

VERDICT: Not as strong as previous renewals. Magician has been all the rage to give Ballydoyle yet another Irish classic but the Group 3 he won at Chester looked to have been a poor race for the Grade and one in which he was doing all his best work at the end, so it’s surprising to see. The same comments can be attributed towards VAN DER NEER’s performance in the 2,000 Guineas last time but that’s the strongest form in this race by a good margin and he should prove tough to beat if in the same form today. ‘Second strings’ Gale Force Ten and Havana Gold represent the French Guineas form but that looked a weak race and of more interest would be Fort Knox and George Vancouver.