2023 Irish 2,000 Guineas: the runners, the odds, the verdict

A field of 11 runners will line up for the Tattersalls Irish 2,000 Guineas (3.40) at the Curragh on Saturday for the first Irish Classic of the season, with the big race shown live on ITV and Racing TV. Here we provide the lowdown on every contender and provide a tip . . .

3.40 Curragh (Saturday, May 27): Tattersalls Irish 2,000 Guineas racecard and betting

Irish 2,000 Guineas runners and odds: the full list of horses

1 Age Of Kings

Ran well when last seen behind Proud And Regal in the Tyros Stakes; stable third-string

Trainer: Aidan O'Brien
Jockey: Seamie Heffernan
Forecast odds: 20-1

Age Of Kings15:40 Curragh

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Jky: Seamie Heffernan Tnr: A P O'Brien

2 Alexander John

Seven-race maiden and completely out of his depth here

Trainer: Luke Comer
Jockey: Nathan Crosse
Forecast odds: 500-1

Alexander John15:40 Curragh

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Jky: Nathan Crosse Tnr: Luke Comer

3 Bold Discovery

Could be a completely different proposition back on good ground here; respected

Trainer: Jessica Harrington
Jockey: Billy Lee
Forecast odds: 20-1

Bold Discovery15:40 Curragh

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Jky: W J Lee Tnr: Mrs John Harrington

4 Cairo

Ran poorly in the UAE Derby in March; some questions to answer on his first start since

Trainer: Aidan O'Brien
Jockey: Wayne Lordan
Forecast odds: 14-1

Cairo15:40 Curragh

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Jky: Wayne Lordan Tnr: A P O'Brien

5 Charyn

Never featured in the 2,000 Guineas at Newmarket; looks up against it here

Trainer: Roger Varian
Jockey: David Egan
Forecast odds: 14-1

Charyn15:40 Curragh

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Jky: David Egan Tnr: Roger Varian

6 Galeron

Fourth in the 2,000 Guineas after being hampered at the start; could easily play a role

Trainer: Charlie Hills
Jockey: Colin Keane
Forecast odds: 10-1

Galeron15:40 Curragh

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Jky: Colin Keane Tnr: Charles Hills

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7 Hi Royal

Back on good ground here and sets the standard on his Newmarket run; the one to beat

Trainer: Kevin Ryan
Jockey: Oisin Murphy
Forecast odds: 3-1

Hi Royal15:40 Curragh

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Jky: Oisin Murphy Tnr: Kevin Ryan

8 Paddington

Much stiffer test and all of his best form is on soft ground; Ballydoyle first string

Trainer: Aidan O'Brien
Jockey: Ryan Moore
Forecast odds: 7-2

Paddington15:40 Curragh

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Jky: Ryan Moore Tnr: A P O'Brien

9 Proud And Regal

Back to a mile here on quicker ground is another test; interesting runner but others preferred

Trainer: Donnacha O'Brien
Jockey: Gavin Ryan
Forecast odds: 8-1

Proud And Regal15:40 Curragh

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Jky: Gavin Ryan Tnr: Donnacha Aidan O'Brien

10 Quar Shamar

Is the preferred mount of Shane Foley but this is a massive step up in grade

Trainer: Jessica Harrington
Jockey: Shane Foley
Forecast odds: 16-1

Quar Shamar15:40 Curragh

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Jky: Shane Foley Tnr: Mrs John Harrington

11 Royal Scotsman

Newmarket third; decent chance of getting his head in front here with that under his belt

Trainer: Paul and Oliver Cole
Jockey: Jamie Spencer
Forecast odds: 5-2

Royal Scotsman15:40 Curragh

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Jky: Jamie Spencer Tnr: Paul & Oliver Cole

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Verdict

It was an impressive effort from Royal Scotsman to finish as close as he did after his early exertions in the 2,000 Guineas and he will take the beating here.

Royal Scotsman15:40 Curragh

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Jky: Jamie Spencer Tnr: Paul & Oliver Cole

Read these next:

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Who will win the 2023 Tattersalls Irish 2,000 Guineas based on previous trends? 

2023 Irish Guineas festival tips: why these horses can win one of the Curragh Group 1s this weekend 

Tom Segal tipped 1,000 Guineas winner Mawj at 20-1 - subscribe now with 50% off and don't miss out on a massive month for Pricewise 

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