Pat Smullen to ride Born To Sea in Irish Guineas

LEADING Abu Dhabi Irish 2,000 Guineas hope Born To Sea will be ridden by Pat Smullen when he lines up for his second Classic at the Curragh on Saturday.

The John Oxx-trained contender has been partnered by Johnny Murtagh throughout his three-race career, but that rider is retained by stablemate Takar's owner the Aga Khan and must ride that rival in the Group 1.

Oxx tested Murtagh's deputy Smullen on Christopher Tsui's star on Tuesday morning and said: "Pat rode him work yesterday and knows a fair bit about him. Obviously we have to be careful that he doesn't run too freely like he did in the Guineas at Newmarket."

Sent off at 10-1 that day, Born To Sea pulled very hard until almost halfway, giving himself no chance of staying the trip and faded from two furlongs out to finish 12th of 18.

Born To Sea is as big as 10-1 with Ladbrokes to make amends for that poor run, while the gamble continues on ante-post favourite Parish Hall, who was shortened to 4-1 (from 9-2) by Ladbrokes on Wednesday.