Tattersalls Irish 2,000 Guineas 704q6d |
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| Group 1, Curragh 15:40 €500,000 guaranteed, 3yo only, 1m  |
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135nu
Ante-post favourite Field Of Gold remains in contention, as nine were declared for the first Irish Classic of the season.
Trained by John and Thady Gosden, Field Of Gold flew home from the rear in the Newmarket Guineas but ultimately had to settle for second behind Ruling Court. Now, with multiple Irish champion Colin Keane booked for the ride, Juddmonte’s striking colt gets another crack at Classic glory.
Juddmonte's presence is far from limited to Field Of Gold, however. Harry Charlton’s unbeaten Cosmic Year adds real depth to the squad, while Windlord may yet them at the start line.
As ever, Aidan O’Brien looms large. Already a 12-time winner of this race—including with Paddington in 2023—he saddles two: Tetrarch Stakes winner Officer, and Expanded. Notably absent is last season’s Group One scorer Twain, who wasn’t supplemented after missing Newmarket due to a dirty scope.
Plans may have shifted, but the ambition remains firmly intact for Hotazhell, who will now head to the Curragh after being a late absentee from the French equivalent at ParisLongchamp.
Thriller at @DoncasterRaces 😯
— Champions Series (@ChampionsSeries) October 26, 2024
Hotazhell JUST gets his nose ahead of Delacroix to win the G1 William Hill Futurity Trophy Stakes under Shane Foley.
Fantastic to see trainer @Jessica_Racing with another Classic contender on her hands pic.twitter.com/qQlc1JEz5o
The Jessica Harrington-trained colt, a Group 1 winner as a juvenile, has yet to make his seasonal return, with drying ground in Paris prompting a precautionary withdrawal.
Connections remain hopeful that the Curragh will provide more suitable conditions for the son of Hot Streak, whose juvenile campaign marked him out as a colt of serious potential.
While Sunday’s setback was not ideal, it’s very much a case of “wait, not worry” for a team that knows the level this horse can reach. The Irish Guineas now takes centre stage – and it may yet play to Hotazhell’s strengths.
Also among the possibles are Scorthy Champ, seventh at Newmarket; Donnacha O’Brien’s Commanche Brave, while Greenham runner-up Rashabar looks on course to represent Brian Meehan.
Tattersalls Irish 2,000 Guineas (Group 1)
1m, €500,000 guaranteed
9 runners
Going: Good, Good to Firm in places
NO. (DRAW) FORM HORSE AGE WGT TRAINER JOCKEY
1 (7) 4124-2 Comanche Brave 3 9-2 Donnacha O'Brien Gavin Ryan
2 (5) 1-11 Cosmic Year 3 9-2 Harry Charlton Oisin Murphy
3 (2) 12-9 Expanded 3 9-2 A P O'Brien
4 (9) 114-12 Field Of Gold 3 9-2 John & Thady Gosden Colin Keane
5 (4) 11211- Hotazhell 3 9-2 Mrs John Harrington Shane Foley
6 (3) 1-31 Officer 3 9-2 A P O'Brien
7 (1) 2122-2 Rashabar 3 9-2 Brian Meehan Sean Levey
8 (8) 131-7 Scorthy Champ 3 9-2 Joseph O'Brien
9 (6) 4213-2 Windlord 3 9-2 Andrew Balding Chris Hayes
