Irish 2,000 Guineas 2014

3.20 Curragh

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

Winner €174,000

Advice: 3 pts win Kingman (10/11 general), 1 pt each/way Shifting Power (10/1 general)

Big Time: Just the three runs but already rated 114, having finished a close second to Surdiman twice (once ahead of War Command) after smart win on debut; This a hellish first assignment of 2014 but no doubting his considerable potential for future.

Davids Park: First time blinkers and a better run through might have helped him land maiden last time out but none of his efforts before suggested he was upto this class and likely to struggle to keep sight of this company.

Dolce N Karma: This a colossal task and flattered in Racing Post Trophy fourth last year; Look elsewhere.

Fountain of Youth: Good debut when second to Big Time on debut and then looked a horse who would be useful when landing Tipperary maiden and finishing fourth in last year’s Windsor Castle; Reappearance in Tetrarch Stakes was disappointing but better expected, although unlikely he’s upto this class and may make a strong pace.

Great White Eagle: Slowly into stride and never able to land a proper blow when favourite for the Middle Park (form been held up by winner) but had been so smooth in two wins beforehand and once again travelled into race on the bridle on return before effort petered out; Needs to find a lot more today and worries that he won’t get home despite likely improvement for return.

Johann Strauss: Looked a useful type on first pair of 2 year old starts and then exciting when second in Racing Post Trophy although nothing come from that race since (the Great Gatsby an exception); Poorly ridden on return but looked difficult when disappointing in Newmarket sales race; Going from the front saw an easy win latest but this a different proposition; Not one to let slip away though.

Kingman: Looked a potential star in the making as a 2yo with two easy wins (Newmarket maiden and Solario) but really looked a star in the making when destroying his Greenham Field (form worked out brilliantly since) at Newbury on return; Shock to see runner up there reverse the form with him but still put up a strong effort when second in an exciting renewal and today’s softer ground should suit him greatly; The one to beat in no uncertain terms.

Mandatario: Twice well beaten by useful Ballydoyle inmates last time, no match for Giovanni Boldini and then below his best against Mekong River; Bette than that but hard to see him being good enough to take this on seasonal return.

Michaelmas: Made all when landing 5f Curragh maiden on second start after narrow defeat on debut and then solid second to stablemate Craftsman at Leopardstown; Will be better than kump showing on reappearance but has to be and this fierce step up in class for him.

Mustajeeb: Fourth on debut and it was a useful maiden (winner group placed since) before landing maiden at Galway easily; Not match for War Command getting 3lbs since; Won in the style of a those that was improved when trashing elders on return in Amethyst Stakes at Leopardstown on return; Should take a hand today although this a step up in class.

Obliterator: Looked very good when landing C&D maiden last September; Margin of defeat to True Story slightly disappointing given weight of support behind for the Fielden when he shaped as if a drop in trip might help but needs to improve a lot on the bare form of that to be involved here.

Prince Of All: Penny dropped too late in C&D maiden last October but made amends on return and then landed listed prize in style, both at Dundalk; Will enjoy step up to 1m but another who has a mountain of improvement to make, albeit it’s more likely that he will than others.

Shifting Power: Looked a very exciting prospect when landing only 2 year old starts with ease; Step up on that form when delivered with power-packed ride to edge Free Handicap; Step upto a mile with more frontrunning ride helped matters greatly in Guineas, when he was a close fourth; Can go well again here.

War Command: Wide margin win in Coventry the highlight of strong juvenile season although he did land the Dewhurst; Return was hugely disappointing given that he got his ground at Newmarket but would wager that he should improve greatly and headgear may be what’s needed; But ground (only yielding) is not helpful to his cause.

VERDICT: It was a shock for many to see KINGMAN beaten in the 2,000 Guineas at Newmarket, especially by the horse he trashed so convincingly at Newbury the time before, but he was an honourable second in what looked to be a very strong renewal and the slower ground is a timely help in his bid for compensation today and his form looks superior to anything else on offer here. Mustajeeb, for the smoking hot Weld yard, is a big player today although SHIFITING POWER’S fourth at Newmarket from the front was one of a really promising three year old colt and he can play his part here and is each/way value. War Command was disappointing at Newbury and is better than that but has had the ground go against him.