Gleneagles Gunning For Guineas Double

Having already won the English 2,000 Guineas at Newmarket three weeks ago, Gleneagles will now bid to add Ireland’s version at the Curragh on Saturday (3.20).

Gleneagles For The Double?
Delivered late on that occasion to win by over 2l, Aidan O’Brien’s smart colt won with quite a bit in hand, in the process fulfilling all the promise he showed as a dual Group 1 winning juvenile.

Considering that Newmarket success was Gleneagles’ first run in over six months, it’s hard not to think there won’t be improvement on Saturday.

It was another Ballydoyle inmate who was the last to record the English/Irish 2,000 Guineas double in Henrythenavigator (2008), and those who arrive here via Newmarket have definitely performed well down the years…

Trends Summary
Of the last 10 Irish 2,000 winners…

9 returned 6/1 or shorter
9 ran over 1m last time
9 won during their last three runs
9 ran at Newmarket last time
A O’Brien won it 5 times

Ivawood Out For Revenge
With Newmarket runners having performed so well, Richard Hannon’s, Ivawood (9/2), has to be respected despite being 3l behind Gleneagles. One of the reasons Ivawood may get closer to Gleneagles is that he was drawn down the centre at HQ (first two home were drawn up the stands’rail). He will need to progress if getting closer to Gleneagles, but there will still be plenty viewing Ivawood as each-way material.

Each-Way Contenders
Another who makes each-way appeal is Roger Varian’s, Belardo (10/1), who won a Group 1 at Newmarket last year (7f, soft), but was beaten 13l on his return at Newbury last month (good to firm). The jury remains out as to whether this colt has trained on, or if that first outing was needed. Saturday will reveal all.

One who could be worth more value is Dermot Weld’s, Tombelaine (16/1), a Listed winner on his return earlier here this month (7f, heavy), where Endless Drama (20/1) was 1/2l behind, and The Warrior (40/1) another 4l in third. While Tombelaine has a bit to find with the protagonists, Weld would not be pitching him in at this level without a chance.

Ger Lyons’ Endless Drama doesn’t have much to find with Tombelaine and could sneak a place, while stablemate, Convergence (25/1), is a dual Listed winner.

Recommended Bets

It is hard to envisage a shock winner, with Gleneagles the confident choice to make it a Guineas double and sixth Irish Guineas for Aidan O’Brien since 2008.

Forecast backers may want to have him to beat Ivawood.

*Prices correct at time of publication.