Phoenix Of Spain all set to take on Magna Grecia again in Irish 2,000 Guineas

Charlie Hills has given a positive update on Phoenix Of Spain as he prepares the promising three-year-old for his seasonal reappearance in the Irish 2,000 Guineas at the Curragh on Saturday.

Runner-up performance to champion juvenile Too Darn Hot in the Champagne Stakes last season, the son of Lope De Vega lost by a head to subsequent 2,000 Guineas winner Magna Grecia in Doncaster's Vertem Futurity Stakes on his final start as a two-year-old, and now prepares to do battle with that same rival in the Irish Classic.

Hills said: "The form from last year looks particularly strong, so we're eager to get him back on the course this weekend. He's a big horse but he’s got a great temperament and really gives you his all."

An 8-1 shot with Coral for the Curragh Classic, Phoenix Of Spain has missed possible engagements in the 2,000 Guineas and the Poule d'Essai des Poulains this season.

Hills added: "He’s not quite been ready to run at either Newmarket or Longchamp but I’m happy with how he is at the moment. You never really know how they’re going to do from one year to the next but on looks you’d expect him to make a better three-year-old and that’s certainly what we’re hoping for with him."

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