Irish 2,000 Guineas confirmed runners and Buckaroo's Epsom chances

The 2022 Flat season is well under way and it is full steam ahead to the first of the Irish Classics this weekend – the Tattersalls Irish 2,000 Guineas and Tattersalls Irish 1,000 Guineas – and next month's Epsom Classics, the Cazoo Derby and Cazoo Oaks.

Market movers come thick and fast as the key Classic trials are run in Britain and Ireland, but big-race contenders can come from anywhere and it's easy to miss a potential dark horse. Classic Clues has you covered.

Here's a recap of Thursday's news and how it has impacted the Classic betting, while we mark your card with key names to note on Friday.

Thursday round-up: Buckaroo confirmed for Native Trail clash

Native Trail is the general 4-11 favourite to make amends for his Newmarket defeat in the Tattersalls Irish 2,000 Guineas on Saturday.

Last year's champion juvenile was sent off as the 5-4 favourite for the 2,000 Guineas just under three weeks ago, but had to settle for second behind stablemate Coroebus.

This time round, the Dewhurst Stakes winner will look to bounce back as he faces eight rivals at the Curragh.

The opposition will be headed by Buckaroo, who was confirmed for the clash after connections opted against going straight for the Cazoo Derby on June 4.

The Qatar Racing-owned colt showed good pace when running away with the Tetrarch Stakes over a mile at the Curragh this month and that appears to have tilted the scales in favour of the Guineas.

Buckaroo: is a challenger to Native Trail at the CurraghCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

The possibility of Buckaroo going on to Epsom after the Curragh has not been ruled out by trainer Joseph O'Brien.

Ballydoyle trainer Aidan O'Brien, who is looking to win this race for the first time since Churchill triumphed in 2017, saddles Ivy League who is a general 14-1 shot.

What they say

Joseph O'Brien, trainer of Buckaroo

"We can always have a go at the Derby too, but let's see how he gets on on Saturday first. It looks a nice race for him and we're happy to let him take his chance.

"No doubt Native Trial will be hard to beat, but we're going there with a chance and I do think we'll give him a good run for his money."

All eyes on . . . Goodwood and 1,000 Guineas confirmations

There is still time to book a place at Epsom next month and Cazoo Derby hope Lysander will be looking to do exactly that in the Listed British Stallion Studs EBF Cocked Hat Stakes at Goodwood on Friday.

A son of Derby winner New Approach, the highly-regarded colt was third on his debut at Newbury last October, but got off the mark with an eight-and-a-half length victory at Newcastle last month.

Lysander, trainer William Haggas' sole Derby entry, has been cut to 28-1 (from 40) for the Epsom Classic in recent days.

The Cocked Hat has only delivered one Derby winner — Troy in 1979 — but 2020 scorer Khalifa Sat was a 50-1 runner-up at Epsom and last year's winner Lone Eagle finished a close second in the Irish Derby after beating subsequent Breeders' Cup winner Yibir here.

The Irish Derby could be on the radar for the David Menuisier-trained Lionel, who was third to the reopposing Natural World last time as a field of seven are set to line up for the 1m3f Cocked Hat.

Menuisier also has Classic aspirations for Ottilien, who is one of two Oaks entries in the William Hill Height Of Fashion Stakes (2.10) at Goodwood.

Frankel filly Emotion is the other one for John and Thady Gosden, already superbly stocked for the Oaks with ante-post favourite Emily Upjohn and recent Newbury Listed scorer Nashwa.

Tuesday: is the leading contender for the 1,000 GuineasCredit: Caroline Norris (racingpost.com/photos)

We will also find out the confirmed runners for Sunday's 1,000 Guineas at the Curragh.

Aidan O'Brien is chasing a fourth successive victory in this race and he saddles leading contender Tuesday, who finished third to Cachet in the 1,000 Guineas at Newmarket at the end of last month.

History, Concert Hall and Lullaby are all entered, as is the Dermot Weld-trained Homeless Songs, who is second favourite.

How the markets look

Irish 2,000 Guineas (3.20 Curragh, May 21)

Paddy Power: 4-11 Native Trail, 4 Buckaroo, 11 Ivy League, 25 Atomic Jones, Wexford Native, 33 Duke De Sessa, 40 Malex, 50 Imperial Fighter, 66 New Energy

Irish 1,000 Guineas (3.45 Curragh, May 22)

Sky Bet: 5-2 Tuesday, 11-4 Homeless Songs, 5 History, 8 Purplepay, 9 Mise En Scene, 10 Hermana Estrella, 12 Agartha, 14 Concert Hall, Wild Beauty, Panama Red, Star Girls Aalmal 16 bar

Cazoo Oaks (4.30 Epsom, June 3)

Sky Bet: 5-4 Emily Upjohn, 4 Tuesday, 5 Nashwa, 8 With The Moonlight, 10 Concert Hall, 11 Tranquil Lady, 14 Above The Curve, 16 History, Life Of Dreams, Thoughts Of June, Life Of Dreams 25 bar

Cazoo Derby (4.30 Epsom, June 4)

bet365: 9-4 Desert Crown, 5-2 Stone Age, 15-2 Piz Badile, 8 Changingoftheguard, 12 United Nations, 14 Star Of India, 16 Walk Of Stars 18 Westover, Eydon, 25 bar

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