'He’s in really, really good shape' - who is bullish about their chances in the Irish 2,000 Guineas?

Ballydoyle's domination of the Irish 2,000 Guineas hit its peak after Henrythenavigator landed the first Irish Classic of the season under Johnny Murtagh in 2008, beating New Approach in a memorable tussle.

Aidan O'Brien sent out six of the next nine winners but he had to wait another six years before the crown was wrestled back when the redoubtable Paddington flashed home under Ryan Moore in 2023.

In their attempt to land a 13th success, Ballydoyle rely on two colts who had contrasting fortunes on their latest starts, but it likely was not as straightforward a decision as it appears for Moore, given the level of form Expanded, whom he rode at Newmarket, showed as a juvenile.

After landing a maiden at this track in October, he was thrown into the deep end a week later in the Dewhurst Stakes and acquitted himself remarkably well to be beaten a neck into second on soft ground by Shadow Of Light.

That display led to his going off a well-fancied 5-1 chance for Newmarket as O'Brien's sole contender, but it was never happening for the son of Wootton Bassett as he trailed home in ninth.

On his two-year-old form, he has every chance of being in the mix under Wayne Lordan, who is in search of a first victory in the race, and O'Brien said: "We think Expanded will improve a lot from Newmarket and leave that run well behind him."

However, Officer seems the first string and will prove popular with punters after his smooth Tetrarch victory earlier this month. All his three starts have come at this venue, scoring on his debut on his only start as a two-year-old before being beaten a length into third in the Gladness Stakes on his return in March.

He improved for that effort to beat another promising sort in Currawood convincingly last time on his first start over a mile and is a colt going places. Paddington landed the Tetrarch in comparably dominant fashion two years ago before sparkling in this race and plenty think Officer can follow suit.

O'Brien said: "Officer has been good since the Tetrarch. He's obviously won over the track and trip, which will be a help, and everything has been straightforward since the last day. He's in good form."

Juddmonte could hold key with three overseas contenders

Colin Keane sealed an unforgettable win for Juddmonte when he arrived with a withering challenge on the Ger Lyons-trained Siskin to land this race in 2020, and he'll be hoping to repeat the feat as he has come in for the hugely exciting spin on Newmarket runner-up Field Of Gold for the same owners, who are also responsible for Cosmic Year and Windlord.

Trained by John and Thady Gosden, he had a productive juvenile season, winning two of his four starts, including the Solario Stakes at Sandown, but he looked a much-improved beast when bolting in at Newmarket on his return with a stellar performance in the Craven.

Field Of Gold; finished second to Ruling Court in the Betfred 2,000 GuineasCredit: Edward Whitaker

On that evidence he started a hotly fancied 15-8 chance at Newmarket but was caught flat-footed in the Dip before rattling home to finish an unlucky second to Ruling Court. Compensation in the Irish equivalent is a distinct possibility and he looks likely to be a warm favourite under Keane, who will partner him for the first time on only his third ride for the Gosdens.

"Obviously, this was not the original plan," said John Gosden. "He's been in good order at home since the 2,000 Guineas and it looks a very high-class renewal. They've had some rain over there but he's versatile in that regard. He's drawn nine of nine and we'll see how that pans out."

Phoenix Of Spain won the race in 2019 for Charlie Hills and in 2014 Kingman landed it for John Gosden. Charlie Appleby and Richard Hannon jnr have also got in on the act in recent years and with the Juddmonte-owned trio and the Brian Meehan-trained Rashabar, many will fancy the raiding party to come up trumps again.

What they say

Donnacha O'Brien, trainer of Comanche Brave
He had a very good prep run at Leopardstown. We're not sure about the mile yet. I think on his last run he will get it and the good ground will help him. We think he is a nice horse and we will ride him to run well.

Harry Charlton, trainer of Cosmic Year
We feel like we're good enough to have a shot at it. It looks like one of the better Irish Guineas but I'm excited. Stall five is good and Oisin [Murphy] has always said he thinks he'll get a mile. The time experts tell me we'd have been pretty close to the first three in the 2,000 Guineas based on the time of his last run at Newmarket, so that gives us a bit of confidence. He's quick and I'm hoping his strength is his ability to switch between being relaxed and quickening. He's got a very good mind and I feel that if things pan out, then we definitely have a shot.

Hotazhell makes his first start since winning the Futurity in OctoberCredit: Patrick McCann

Shane Foley, rider of Hotazhell
We were over in Paris and it was all systems go, but we just felt like the track was a little bit on the fast side for him and the Curragh was just around the corner, so I definitely think it was the right decision. I don’t think the delay will affect him, but he was trained for Longchamp and that was supposed to be his first run, so it’s not ideal.

Brian Meehan, trainer of Rashabar
I'm really happy with him;  he’s in really, really good shape for this. He shouldn’t have been 80-1 when he won the Coventry and he’s a big price once again. I am not bothered about what price he is. The important thing is that I know how well he is – and so does Sean [Levey].

Joseph O'Brien, trainer of Scorthy Champ
He has trained well since his run at Newmarket. He looks great and we're hoping he can get back on track. He'll love the fast ground and the track.

Read these next:

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'He can cause an upset' - three of our panellists are taking on Field Of Gold in the Irish 2,000 Guineas at the Curragh 

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