The big one at The Curragh on Saturday is of course the Irish 2000 Guineas – and Betfred’s Owen McMahon shares his fancy for the race.
Curragh Tips
- 3.40 – Paddington @ 9/2
I don’t think this is a vintage renewal of the Irish 2000 Guineas – won by the likes of Dubawi, Mastercraftsman, Kingman and Churchill in the past – but it does look wide-open.
Royal Scotsman is Betfred’s current favourite and he has obvious claims. The son of Gleneagles finished third behind Chaldean and Hi Royal, who also bids to go one better in the Irish equivalent this weekend, in the English 2000 Guineas and without doubt brings the strongest form to the table.
He’s a bit short for me though and faces some Irish horses who have clearly been targeted at this race – such as PADDINGTON for the maestro Aidan O’Brien, who has won the Irish 2000 Guineas a whopping 11 times before.
The son of Siyouni has been brought along slowly this season, winning a handicap at Naas off top-weight at the back end of March before comfortably taking a Listed contest over course and distance on May 1.
It’s fair to say Paddington hasn’t beaten all that much yet, but it’s the manner of his victories that suggest we are looking at a horse capable of winning Group 1 races.
Ground is a small concern, for he’s done most of his racing on soft, but the presence of Ryan Moore on board suggest the team aren’t too worried and that he’s indeed the pick of their trio.
Of the other eight rivals I haven’t mentioned, Galeron is probably the biggest danger and is overpriced given he wasn’t all that far behind Royal Scotsman at Newmarket – while Donnacha’s Proud And Regal should be there or thereabouts.
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