The action kicks up a gear today as the colts take centre stage in the Irish 2000 Guineas — and Field Of Dream is out to put Newmarket heartbreak behind him.
Get the best Irish Guineas odds from the best horse racing betting sites here.
Curragh 1:20 Avenuebloodstock.com Irish EBF (C & G) Maiden – 6f (2yo)
The market’s going to be the key here for the newcomers, especially Brussels, who’s the Ryan Moore pick out of the two Aidan O’Brien runners. But don’t overlook the other O’Brien runner, KANSAS — he’s got the edge of experience under his belt.
He finished third on debut behind stablemate First Approach and the well-backed Amiata for Ger Lyons. Like many of O’Brien’s youngsters, you can expect a big step forward from first to second run. If that happens, Kansas should be right in the mix when it counts.
Selection: Kansas Danger: BrusselsBet on Kansas with Betfred
Curragh 1:55 Listed Al Basti Equiworld Dubai Orby Stakes – 1m4f (4yo+)
Magical Hope makes her first start for Peter Twomey, and with Twomey’s stable in such red-hot form right now, you can’t rule out this three-time winner on debut for her new yard.
Siege Of Troy was well-backed to win at this level at Gowran Park earlier this month but could only manage fourth. Oisin Murphy takes the ride today, so expect a better showing from her.
Another interesting runner is Sea The Boss for Jessica Harrington. She had a quiet pipe opener at Cork last month, but before that, she was no stranger to tough competition last season. After winning a Grade 3 at Naas, she took on Group 2 company at the Prix Alc Head—where the trip looked a bit short—and then faced the heat in Group 1 at Longchamp, well beaten by Bluestocking, who went on to win the Arc.
Back down to listed level now, and with that experience behind her, Sea The Boss could bounce back. But even then, she and the rest will have their work cut out for them trying to hold off the 109-rated TRUSTYOURINSTINCT.
This five-year-old has solid form, finishing just behind horses like Continuous and Jan Brueghel last season. He kicked off this campaign finishing a bit over seven lengths off Shin Emperor in the Group 2 Turf Cup at Riyadh, then was upset as favourite at Naas in March.
Still, if he can replicate his latest run behind Los Angeles and White Birch over course and distance, he’s got what it takes to land the prize today. He’ll be giving weight to all his rivals, but there’s enough in the tank to get the job done.
Selection: Trustyourinstinct Danger: See The BossBet on Trustyourinstinct with SBK
Curragh 2:30 Tulfarris Hotel And Golf Resort Handicap – 1m2f (Premier Handicap) (4yo+)
We have a few jumpers reverting back to the flat today, and the most interesting one of all is Nurburgring. The current Galway Hurdle winner was all the rage over the winter for a Cheltenham Festival handicap chase, but things didn’t work out as connections would have hoped. Cheltenham was a bit too sharp for him, and running over two-miles-four is a worry here.
He’s a strong stayer, with his only flat win coming over 1m5f on heavy ground. But the two times he tried shorter trips like 1m1f and 1m2f, he was well beaten. So, despite his talent, I’m inclined to take him on.
My pick to oppose him is HIMALAYAN HEIGHTS, who showed a cracking return from a gelding operation in April by comfortably winning a competitive Leopardstown handicap. He’s been hit with an 8lb rise for that win, but given how consistent he is, it’s hard to see him not being in the mix again.
Keep an eye on Zoffman too—he’s got a course and distance win under his belt and was nicely race-fit coming off a spell hurdling. Then there’s Mashoor, who’s slipped quite a bit in the handicap and could bounce back now that he’s dropped to a mark he should handle well.
Selection: Himalayan Heights Danger: ZoffmanBet on Himalayan Heights with talkSPORT BET
Curragh 3:05 Group 2 Weatherbys Ireland Greenlands Stakes – 6f (4yo+)
If all the buzz is to be believed, then the Australian import STORM BOY is really living up to the hype, charging up the gallops like a proper storm.
He was a five-time winner when trained in Australia and only narrowly missed out on Group 1 glory in a blanket finish over a furlong further. Now he’s dropping back to 6f, and with his blazing speed out of the stalls, this race could be over before most have even settled.
He is an exciting prospect who holds notable entries in the Group 1 King Charles III Stakes and Queen Elizabeth II Stakes at Royal Ascot. If all is well, he can make a winning debut in Ireland. Iberian, who bounced back to form last time out with a close second, can be the best of the rest.
Selection: Storm Boy 7/4 Danger: Iberian 7/1 Current Betting: Storm Boy 7/4, Grand Grey 4/1, My Mate Alfie 4/1, Iberian 7/1, Lethal Levi 17/2, James’s Delight 9/1, 28/1 bar.Bet on Storm Boy with bet365
Curragh 3:40 Group 1 Tattersalls Irish 2000 Guineas – 1m (3yo)
The 2025 renewal of the Irish 2000 Guineas is shaping up as one for the ages. Hotazhell, who was taken out of the French equivalent at the final hour due to the fast underfoot conditions, takes his chance here. The ground is unlikely to be as quick as it was in France, and the Group 1 Futurity Trophy Stakes winner has a lot to like coming in here.
Cases can be made for the unbeaten Cosmic Year, Officer and Scorthy Champ, but they may all have to play second fiddle to the English Guineas runner-up, FIELD OF GOLD.
We all know what the fallout has been since he ran out of track attempting to run down Ruling Court at Newmarket when ridden by Kieren Shoemark. Now that Kieren has been left go as the Gosden number one jockey, Colin Keane gets the opportunity to win his second 2000 Irish Guineas. All being well with this strapping grey colt, he can right the wrongs of Newmarket.
Selection: Field Of Gold 10/11 Danger: Hotazhel 9/1 Current Betting: Field Of Gold 10/11, Cosmic Year 9/2, Officer 13/2, Hotazhell 9/1, Expanded 16/1, Scorthy Champ 20/1, Rashabar 22/1, Windlord 33/1, Comanche Brave 50/1.Bet on Field Of Gold with Paddy Power
Curragh 4:15 QuinnBet Emerald Mile Handicap – 1m (Premier Handicap) (4yo+)
The second of today’s premier handicaps features Irish Lincoln winner Orandi, who’s here aiming for his second win under new connections. He narrowly missed out on the William Hill Lincoln at Doncaster just a month after his Irish success.
Orandi’s been hit with a 4lb rise in the weights, but don’t count him out — especially with Jack Kearney taking off a handy 3lb.
Lord Church caught the eye on debut for Emmet Mullins and looks sure to come on for that run, and has strong claims with Oisin Murphy taking the ride. But DERRY LAD, Emmet Mullins’s other runner, is the one who interests me the most. He had his first run for Emmet over this course and distance, where he got an easy time of it, but it was still a run full of promise.
He will enjoy the hustle and bustle of this race, and the faster they go, the better his chances will be. Hopefully, he will be a nice each-way price and, at worst, grab some prize money. Another significant danger is the lightly raced Enchanted Garden, who can prove a big danger to all on the back of his latest win.
Selection: Derry Lad Danger: Enchanted GardenBet on Derry Lad with Betfred
Curragh 4:50 QuinnBet Handicap – 7f (4yo+)
Another very tricky race to solve where any of the 21-strong field could take the prize. Pinar Del Rio, who was narrowly denied on his comeback, and is more than entitled to come on for that run, but this frequent course runner will need to be on his best behaviour if he is to win.
Genuine Article is another with claims if ready to go after 238 days on the sideline, but a chance will be taken with the Ross O’Sullivan-trained FOUR BLONDES.
Four Blondes may have finished 13th of the 15 runners on his comeback at Naas, but he was only beaten over six lengths and should come on for that run. He has since dropped 6lb for that outing, and even though he is still 7lb higher than when winning at Fairyhouse last season, he can run well at a big price.
Selection: Four Blondes Danger: Pinar Del RioBet on Four Blondes with Tote
Curragh 5:25 Revamp Restoration And Conservation Handicap – 7f (3yo)
Shameful gets instinct respect coming from the Clive Cox stable, and even though he was well beaten at odds-on at Kempton in March, he still has considerable improvement to come. However, not many will have the potential improvement that JAGGED EDGE has.
His opening mark of 90 looks more than fair based on how easily he won at Cork in April. That form has already taken a boost, with the second Omni Man going on to win by over seven lengths on his next start (the third Collecting Coin runs on Friday).
He takes a drop-in trip here, but being by Blue Point, there is every chance that this tip will suit him more, going by how he travelled at Cork. Far From Dandy is having his first start for Stephen Thorne, and if he is ready to go on his first start for his new connections, he will not be far away at the finish.
Selection: Jagged Edge Danger: Far From DandyBet on Jagged Edge with Ladbrokes
Curragh 5:55 Finlay Volvo Irish EBF (C & G) Maiden – 1m2f (3yo)
Not the strongest of maidens to close out day two of the Irish Guineas Festival, with many of the runners with experience not setting a high standard. The Aidan O’Brien-trained Propose needs to leave his Dundalk defeat well behind him if he is to get his head in front here. The return to turf will help his cause.
But the one who can take a big step forward from his debut run is ESHERANN. He made his debut over 7f at Leopardstown at the beginning of the month, where he was no match for the winner, but he kept on nicely all the way to the line. The extra distance looks sure to suit the son of Wootton Bassett, and he can be the one the all have to beat.
Rizal was well-fancied for his debut, but it all went wrong when he was slow away from the stalls. But to his credit, he got himself involved and only faded inside the final furlong. He looked as if he would learn a great deal from that run and could prove a big danger with that run behind him.
Selection: Esherann Danger: RizalBet on Esherann with bet365
About the author
Andrew Halligan
My name is Andrew Halligan, horse racing pundit and founder of YouTube’s The Finishing Line Podcast. Horse racing is a thrilling spectacle that captivates audiences around the world with its blend of drama and excitement. Whether you’re a jumps or flat fan, I will use my experience of working within the horse racing industry to bring the best of what this sport has to offer.
You can follow Andrew on X (@Halligan88).
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