Irish 2,000 Guineas in the spotlight: assessing the strengths and weaknesses for the Curragh Classic big guns

The Classic action continues this weekend and the Tattersalls Irish 2,000 Guineas (3.40) is the focus at the Curragh on Saturday. It is set to be a fascinating contest with leading chances from Britain and Ireland and plenty to be learned from a field packed full of potential.

Field Of Gold

Field Of Gold (nearside) finished second to Ruling Court in the Betfred 2,000 GuineasCredit: John Grossick

Trainer: John and Thady Gosden

Form: 3114-12

Strengths: The form and ratings all suggest that Field Of Gold is best horse in the line-up. He looked good as a two-year-old, even better when winning the Craven and scaled greater heights when narrowly beaten in the 2,000 Guineas at Newmarket. That led to the dismissal of Kieran Shoemark as stable jockey to the Gosdens and Colin Keane takes over. A six-time Irish champion jockey and winner of this race on Siskin in 2020, there is hardly a man better suited to riding in a Curragh Classic. 

Weaknesses: Although Rosallion won the Irish 2,000 Guineas after finishing second at Newmarket, it is still a hard ask with only two placed horses at Newmarket able to win in the last decade. He might also need a strong pace to aim at, and could even progress over slightly further, so a lack of obvious pace angles is a worry. 

Odds: 4-5

Field Of Gold15:40 Curragh

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Jky: Tnr: John & Thady Gosden

Cosmic Year

Cosmic Year is unbeaten in three startsCredit: Edward Whitaker

Trainer: Harry Charlton

Form: 1-11

Strengths: Potential. He is the big unknown in the race and Juddmonte electing to run him against their solid favourite Field Of Gold is a pointer to how high he is rated. The Kingman colt looked very good when landing a Listed race on Guineas weekend and should not look out of place in Group 1 company. He has raced exclusively over 7f but a mile should be no problem.

Weaknesses: Visually he has been impressive, but this is a huge step up in class having beaten an 88-rated rival last time.

Odds: 4-1

Cosmic Year15:40 Curragh

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Jky: Tnr: Harry Charlton

Officer

Officer: Ballydoyle's leading hopeCredit: Patrick McCann

Trainer: Aidan O'Brien

Form: 1-31

Strengths: O'Brien has a dozen Irish 2,000 Guineas to his name, making him the leading trainer in the race, and he is in incredible form with 23 winners in the last 14 days. This looks Ballydoyle's main hope having won the Tetrarch over course and distance in good fashion. He achieved an RPR of 111 that day, 1lb higher than Paddington recorded when winning the Tetrarch prior to his Irish 2,000 success in 2023.

Weaknesses: Quite whether he is an out-and-out miler remains to be seen as everything in his pedigree suggests he could be better over further. He remains lightly raced but needs to step up to match the standard set by Field Of Gold.

Odds: 6-1

Officer15:40 Curragh

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Jky: Tnr: A P O'Brien

Hotazhell

Hotazhell was last seen winning the Group 1 Futurity in NovemberCredit: Patrick McCann

Trainer: Jessica Harrington

Form: 411211-

Strengths: On two-year-old form, Hotazhell is the clear standout having won the Beresford and Group 1 Futurity Trophy. His nose win against Derby fancy Delacroix in the latter race is strong and he's got plenty of experience, particularly at the track.

Weaknesses: He is the only contender who has yet to run this season, so fitness is an obvious question mark and it remains to be seen how he has developed from two to three. He may end up wanting further than a mile this season.

Odds: 8-1

Hotazhell15:40 Curragh

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Jky: Tnr: Mrs John Harrington

What about the others?

Expanded and Scorthy Champ were well beaten in the 2,000 Guineas and need to step up. Rashabar had some excellent two-year-old form and definitely stands out each-way at 20-1.

Verdict

Field Of Gold is very hard to look past and is the most likely winner. He may be better over 1m2f later this season and a pace concern might test him but he is by far the best in this field and should prove too good. Rashabar is slightly overlooked and could definitely run well at a price.

Field Of Gold15:40 Curragh

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Jky: Tnr: John & Thady Gosden

Rashabar15:40 Curragh

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Jky: Tnr: Brian Meehan

Read more:

Odds-on quotes about Field Of Gold easy to resist in Irish 2,000 Guineas - these rivals look the main dangers 

Field Of Gold seeks Classic redemption with Colin Keane on board as Juddmonte launch all-out assault on Irish Guineas weekend 

Irish 2,000 Guineas contender John Gosden believes 'everyone is overlooking' gets backing of big-race jockey 

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