2021 Tattersalls Irish 2,000 Guineas: the runners, the odds, the verdict

Your guide to Saturday's Tattersalls Irish 2,000 Guineas at the Curragh, the first Classic of the season in Ireland.

3.20 Curragh Saturday: Tattersalls Irish 2,000 Guineas racecard and betting

1 Agrimony

Promising and should handle ground but this may be a step too far at this stage of career

Trainer: Joseph Murphy
Jockey: Gary Carroll
Odds: 22-1

2 Battleground

Non-runner due to the going

3 Emporio

Rated 90 after placing on four of his five starts; requires major improvement

Trainer: Donnacha O'Brien
Jockey: Gavin Ryan
Odds: 80-1

4 La Barrosa

Cracking Craven second to Master Of The Seas gives him big chance; soft ground the worry

Trainer: Charlie Appleby
Jockey: William Buick
Odds: 9-1

5 Lucky Vega

Deserving favourite coming here fresh after 2,000 Guineas third; ground an unknown

Trainer: Jessica Harrington
Jockey: Shane Foley
Odds: 9-2

6 Mac Swiney

Respiratory infection likely be to blame for flat return; strong each-way claims on ground

Trainer: Jim Bolger
Jockey: Rory Cleary
Odds: 13-2

7 Monaasib

Solid return to action when 1.5 lengths behind Poetic Flare in Leopardstown trial but more needed

Trainer: Kevin Prendergast
Jockey: Chris Hayes
Odds: 16-1

8 Poetic Flare

Beat Lucky Vega at Newmarket; sixth in messy French Guineas; been busy but obvious chance

Trainer: Jim Bolger
Jockey: Kevin Manning
Odds: 5-1

9 Rebel Step

Handles soft ground but mark of 91 leaves him with fair deal to find; cheekpieces removed

Trainer: Andrew Slattery
Jockey: Ben Coen
Odds: 125-1

10 The Rosstafarian

Eyecatching fifth in the Craven behind Master Of The Seas and La Barrosa; must improve

Trainer: Hugo Palmer
Jockey: Colin Keane
Odds: 16-1

11 Van Gogh

Fared best of stable's trio in the 2,000 Guineas when eighth; Group 1 winner on heavy

Trainer: Aidan O'Brien
Jockey: Seamie Heffernan
Odds: 4-1

12 Wembley

One of Europe's best 2yos in 2020; very disappointing in 2,000 Guineas; must bounce back

Trainer: Aidan O'Brien
Jockey: Ryan Moore
Odds: 11-2

The verdict

Likely to improve plenty for his seasonal bow, Van Gogh looks the value play as a proven performer on testing ground last season.
Mark Boylan

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If you want more on Irish Guineas weekend:

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