Aidan O’Brien To Happily Win Irish 1,000 Guineas?

We had something of a shock winner in the Irish 2,000 Guineas yesterday although connections of Romanised were quietly confident.

Ballydoyle backers still went home happy with the champion trainer saddling four winners. He may well have another good day at HQ today.

O’Brien to be Happily in number one spot again

In truth, U S Navy Flag and Gustav Klimt probably didn’t form the strongest representation that Aidan O’Brien will ever have in the Irish 2,000 Guineas. With Happily he looks to have a real solid contender for the Fillies Classic.

The extremely well bred filly, whose brother Churchill did the 2,000 Guineas double last year, ran a fine race at Newmarket in the English 1,000 Guineas. With the two that finished in front of her that day she surely has to be the standard setter here.

A Group 1 winner at two, Happily is likely to take a massive leap forward from that first outing of the season

…and on ratings she is second only to her stable companion Clemmie although the vibes about her are very weak.

There are some improving sorts and the English raider Soliloquy has to warrant respect. That could be an each-way alternative for those not wanting to take the 11/8 about the market leader. Happily’s form is rock solid and she can become O’Brien’s eighth winner of the race.

Lyons team on Song

Ger Lyons has been enjoying a fine season and isn’t without his chance in the 1,000 Guineas, especially if they get all 6mm of rain forecast tonight, but later on the card he’ll saddle Song Of Namibia in the penultimate handicap and the seven-year-old has every chance.

Obviously vulnerable to some younger rivals here, Song Of Namibia needs to produce a career best here having won off a mark of 89 back in July and he’s now 3lbs higher.

However, the horse ran a blinder at Leopardstown on Irish Champions Weekend and although well beaten on his comeback at Limerick, the ground could surely be used as a valid excuse that day.

This race would look to tick a lot of boxes as he steps up to two miles for the first time and at 6/1 he looks to be value on a tricky card.

Recommended bets
Happily (5/4) – 4.10 Curragh
Song Of Namibia (8/1) – 5.20 Curragh