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Irish 2,000 Guineas tips and predictions: Rosallion the choice
Find the latest Irish 2,000 Guineas odds, along with our expert’s win and each-way tips plus a betting offer for the big race today
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On day two of the Irish Guineas festival at the Curragh, the Irish 2,000 Guineas is the feature contest at 3.40 this afternoon.
Classic glory is up for grabs and a field of eight has been declared for today’s highlight, with our expert picking out two horses to consider for the big race.
Irish 2,000 Guineas tips
- Selection: Rosallion @ 10/11 with BoyleSports
- Next best: Haatem @ 13/2 with BoyleSports
Odds, correct at the time of publishing, are subject to change.
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O’Brien returners with something to prove
Aidan O’Brien is the dominant trainer in British and Irish Classics and he saddles three runners in an attempt to achieve back-to-back Irish 2,000 Guineas successes after Paddington’s two-length victory last year.
Coventry Stakes winner River Tiber is the stable’s first string, with Ryan Moore taking the ride, although this Wootton Bassett colt has never raced a yard over six furlongs and has his stamina to prove over the mile on his seasonal return. That has to be a big concern.
River Tiber’s stablemates Unquestionable and Mountain Bear took the first two positions in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf when last seen and are also racing for the first time this term, but O’Brien’s charges have been badly needing their first outings this season – and that could be the case once more.
Rosallion can bloom
It is difficult to look beyond 2,000 Guineas runner-up ROSALLION in what appears to be a weaker heat than the Newmarket equivalent. The Richard Hannon stable representative might have gone for home a shade too soon when second to a potential top-notch performer in Notable Speech under Sean Levey there. It was his first run in seven months, so he is entitled to strip fitter this time.
The son of Blue Point holds Unquestionable on Prix Jean-Luc Lagardère form from Longchamp in October, when he beat the O’Brien runner by a length over seven furlongs. He is set to get the good ground he needs and the only disappointment of his career to date came when conditions were too soft in the Champagne Stakes at Doncaster and he finished third behind Iberian.
Blessed with an impressive turn of foot, Rosallion’s juvenile form lines are working out excellently and redemption awaits for the English raider. There is no reason to think the Curragh will not suit him and his status as favourite for this race looks fully justified.
Selection: Rosallion @ 10/11 with BoyleSports
Haatem can keep favourite honest
It could be a huge day for the Hannon stable as the trainer is also set to saddle HAATEM, who was a length and a quarter behind Rosallion in the 2,000 Guineas – and a one-two finish looks possible.
Given that Haatem had already had a run with his impressive three-and-a-half-length success in the Craven Stakes, it would be a surprise if those places were reversed.
However, this Phoenix Of Spain colt has improved immeasurably after a busy juvenile campaign and could continue on the upgrade. He is well positioned to capitalise if Rosallion underperforms. This would appear to be an excellent chance for Hannon to bring home a classic one-two against what is likely to be a weaker O’Brien challenge than usual.
Outsiders Atlantic Coast, Bright Stripes and Take Me To Church surely have too much to find to have a say at this level.
Selection: Haatem @ 13/2 with BoyleSports
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