'To get one at home would be special' - Shane Crosse chasing Classic redemption

Shane Crosse, who agonisingly missed out on Classic success due to Covid-19 in 2020, believes he has a "live chance" of winning the Irish 2,000 Guineas with Buckaroo if connections take their chance at the Curragh instead of the Cazoo Derby.

Joseph O'Brien claimed Classic honours with Galileo Chrome in the 2020 St Leger but Crosse had to watch from the sidelines due to a positive Covid test the day before the Doncaster race.

O'Brien and Crosse have since developed a formidable partnership, winning Group 1s in three different countries, most recently the Prix Ganay with State Of Rest this month.

However, the prospect of arriving at the Curragh with one in the mix excites the Tipperary jockey.

Crosse said: "To get one at home would be special for sure. He would have a live chance if he goes there. To ride in any Classic is brilliant – the experience of those big days is very helpful."

Buckaroo: was impressive in landing the Tetrarch (right) and remains entered in the DerbyCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

Buckaroo was perhaps being billed as a Derby horse – he remains entered and is a general 25-1 for the Epsom Classic – after being narrowly touched off by Piz Badile in the Ballysax Stakes, but he showcased a striking turn of foot back at a mile to win the Listed Tetrarch Stakes at the Curragh.

That performance has left connections with a nice dilemma, and Crosse said: "There's nothing set in stone yet. He has an entry in the Derby which could possibly be on the agenda. It could be a toss up between the two of them.

"At the beginning of the year we thought he was going to be a mile and a quarter or a mile and a half horse, and he probably is, but he's one of them that just has such natural pace that a mile could be very good for him.

"It should be no problem wherever he goes, but it was great to see the pace he showed at the Curragh the last day. This lad has bundles of pace for a mile."

Buckaroo is a general 4-1 shot for the first Irish Classic of the season and the only Irish-trained colt in the market with a single-figure price, adding to Crosse's optimism.

"It's great for Joseph especially, he hasn't had a Guineas winner so it would be great for him. He has to have a very good chance if he was to go there," he said.

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

Paddy Power: 2-5 Native Trail, 7-2 Coroebus, Buckaroo, 10 Akhu Najla, Modern Games, 12 Point Lonsdale, 14 Berkshire Shadow, 16 Bayside Boy, Angel Bleu, 20 bar

Cazoo Derby (4.30 Epsom, June 4)

bet365: 2 Desert Crown, 3 Stone Age, 7 Changingoftheguard, 10 Piz Badile, 14 United Nations, Star Of India, 16 Walk Of Stars, 20 Pont Lonsdale, Eydon, Westover, Royal Patronage, Nahanni, 25 bar

Read more:

Sir Michael Stoute 'surprised' as Desert Crown storms to Derby favouritism

The trials have been run - so who do our experts fancy for the 2022 Cazoo Derby?

Racing Post Live is your ultimate racing watchalong every Saturday and during major festivals. Our experts offer uninterrupted tips, analysis and reactions to the ITV action. Subscribe to the Racing Post YouTube channel here and never miss a minute