Picture: Unquestionable (youtube.com) has been selected to win the Irish 2000 Guineas.
At The Races
1 2:20 PM – Tally Ho Stud Irish European Breeders Fund (C & G) Maiden
Aidan O’Brien took this last year with Unquestionable and riding arrangements suggest HENRI MATISSE is preferred of the Ballydoyle trio. The Wootton Bassett colt, out of Group 1 winner Immortal Verse, is a half-brother to four winners, including the very smart Tenebrism and Statuette. Red Evolution also makes plenty of appeal being a Mehmas half-brother to River Tiber who cost 300,000 guineas at the Newmarket Breeze Up Sale last month. Hill Road (by Quality Road) made $350,000 as a yearling, while the Farhh colt Cadogan is another to consider from a yard that has already enjoyed success with juveniles this term.
2 2:55 PM – GAIN Marble Hill Stakes (In Memory Of Theresa Marnane) (Group 3)
CAMILLE PISSARRO made a winning debut at Navan last month and can be expected to progress with that experience under his belt. The 1,250,000gns son of Wootton Bassett is a half-brother to seven winners, including Commonwealth Cup hero Golden Horde. Midnight Strike also scored on debut when beating Treasure Isle (won since) here over 5f and it will be interesting to see how he copes with this much sounder surface. Arizona Blaze won here on the opening day of the turf season and now steps up to 6f after filling the runner-up spot in a Listed race won by Whistlejacket, with Monotone about three lengths back in third.
3 3:30 PM – Weatherbys Ireland Greenlands Stakes (Group 2)
MOSS TUCKER appeared as good as ever when beating Ocean Quest by two lengths on his reappearance at Naas last month. The Ken Condon-trained gelding won twice here last year and had both Art Power and Ano Syra well behind when recording a memorable Group 1 victory in the Flying Five last September. Regional beat Shouldvebeenaring by a neck in the Group 1 Sprint Cup at Haydock last autumn and it will be interesting to see if the former can continue his progressive profile from last season, while Matilda Picotte was generally campaigned over 7f last term, including a Group 2 win at Newmarket, and was far from disgraced this spring at Riyadh.
4 4:05 PM – Al Basti Equiworld Dubai Orby Stakes (Listed)
SUMIHA made a successful debut over 1m2f here last summer and didn’t enjoy much lucky in running on her only subsequent outing when reappearing in the Listed Noblesse Stakes at Cork last month. The selection has plenty of scope for improvement and is preferred to Raise You, who has shown a liking for this venue with four wins here and was denied a clear passage when returning after a lengthy absence here last month. Candleford is a solid performer in this grade and carries a 3lb penalty for a Listed win at Windsor last year, while others to consider include Run For Oscar and La Isla Mujeres.
5 4:40 PM – Tattersalls Irish 2,000 Guineas (Group 1)
Aidan O’Brien has landed this race on 12 occasions and his three runners are respected on their seasonal reappearances. His UNQUESTIONABLE looks a leading contender after successfully stepping up to 1m in a Grade 1 at the Breeders’ Cup in Santa Anita. Richard Hannon’s Rosallion sets the standard with a rating of 118 and a runner-up berth in the Qipco 2,000 Guineas at Newmarket. He is by a sprinter, though, and this more galloping track may not be as ideal for him. O’Brien’s River Tiber is interesting as he bids to graduate from the sprinting ranks, while Andrew Oliver’s Bright Stripes is one that could go better than his odds suggest.
6 5:15 PM – Infinite Energy Handicap (Premier Handicap)
SAFECRACKER is well versed in high-quality handicaps and holds each-way claims. Johnny Murtagh’s charge was unplaced in a Group 3 on soft ground at Naas last summer, but is a different proposition on quick ground at this track. Crystal Black has to be feared having won three of his last four races at this venue. The handicapper has tacked on another 4lb, but he does run this track particularly well. Deakin is one to note up in class after two wide-margin victories at Roscommon and Thurles, while Take Heart and Saturn, who both sport first-time cheekpieces, are other contenders. French-import Titanium is the dark horse in the field.
7 5:50 PM – Finlay Volvo Handicap
The Lyons team have always believed that RAGGA BOMB is a horse for this season and he could be worth chancing on handicap debut. His Cork maiden success has been very well franked by the third home, who is now rated 100. After winning on debut at this racecourse, Democracy kept excellent company last season without being placed and he ought to appreciate this easier assignment. This is Nerano’s first try on turf after winning one of his three Dundalk races and the forecast fast ground should be right up his street, being by War Front. Transcending Glory and Grand City Hall arrive in winning form and will have their supporters.
7 6:25 PM – McDonnells Bar Newbridge Irish European Breeders Fund (C & G) Maiden
Newcomer JAN BRUEGHEL jumps off the page as a brother to Irish Derby winner Sovereign and, notably, he holds an Irish Derby entry in addition to a Group 2 engagement. Ozark Daze caught a tartar when runner-up at Dundalk last month and didn’t have the clearest run in fourth over this trip in Cork. His mark of 87 means that he should be involved. Camelot colt Rosso is worth checking for market strength ahead of his debut, while Raydamann makes appeal on breeding and should improve upon an opening eighth-placed finish on testing ground at Leopardstown in October. The in-form Jessica Harrington takes the wraps off Trethorn and a big run wouldn’t be surprising.
