Gary O'Brien: Three selections for the Irish 2000 Guineas
26 May
Horse Racing
Gary O'Brien
The Irish racing broadcaster picks out 10 horses from seven races at the Curragh, including the Irish 2000 Guineas.

13:20

Two-year-olds' races are often full of unknown quantities, so they're not always the best betting propositions, but I did like the debut run of Mr Saturday SP at Naas. He was beaten by Devious - a good horse now bound for Royal Ascot - and should improve for that first outing. His yard won this race last year, too.

13:55

The Marble Hill is very difficult to call with five of the runners unbeaten coming into this, but my slight preference is for Noche Magica SP for Paddy Twomey. He wasn’t well away on his debut, but still managed to win easily by four lengths, and he could just have the edge on what he’s shown so far.

14:30

It’s not the best renewal of the Greenland’s but I do think this will go to the English as they have a strong hand with Art Power and Garrus. Art Power is unbeaten in three runs in Ireland, but he’s not been in top form for a while, whereas Garrus SP was a good winner of the Abernant and will be my selection.

15:05

The Orby Stakes has attracted seven runners, and there’s a filly I like called Moracana SP. She has a bit to find on figures, but she won a good handicap on her seasonal debut and I’m starting to think she just enjoys better ground. It’s a wide open race but I think she’ll run well.

15:40

It might not be the most competitive running of the Irish 2000 Guineas we’ve seen, but there’s still some good horses on show, including Royal Scotsman 2/1, who is the one they all have to beat. He didn’t get the rub of the green at Newmarket and still stayed on very well to finish third. He should have no problem turning the form around Hi Royal, who finished in front of him that day.

At bigger prices, both horses from Jessica Harrington’s yard could nick a place. There was an excuse for Bold Discovery 25/1 is definitely open to more improvement.

16:50

I’m taking two against the field in the Premier Handicap. Nibiru SP was unlucky at a crucial stage in the race at Leopardstown last week and a similar running would see him go close.

The other horse I like is the bottom horse, Wild Dollar SP. He’s lightly raced for a five year old, but he won a maiden at this meeting in 2021, albeit on heavy ground. He’s shown ability on better ground since and shaped well last time, so I think he’ll run well.

17:25

Up and Under SP stands out a mile on his two runs this season, behind two horses who’ll ruin big races in the Derby at Epsom next weekend. I’m not sure he’ll be a huge price, but he should be up to winning this.

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