Irish 2,000 Guineas Guide

1. Decrypt

T - P Twomey

J - W J Lee

Decrypt heads fourteen horses gunning for Irish 2,000 Guineas glory, and this three-year-old son of Dark Angel looks a fine improver for the yard.

Second on debut at the Curragh twelve months ago, he scored second time out in his maiden at the same venue - beating subsequent Guineas placee Lady Kaya, who finished second at Newmarket three weeks ago.

Victorious against at Cork latest, but more needed at this level.

2. Emaraaty Ana

T - Kevin Ryan

J - Andrea Atzeni

Frustrating type, who showed plenty of promise on debut at Windsor last April.

Despite victory in a Group Two at York in August, the three-year-old son of Shamardal has completely lost his way since, finishing fifth of eight in the Middle Park Stakes at Newmarket, and beating just one home in the nineteen-runner field for the English equivalent earlier this month.

Looks way out of his depth once again.

3. Globe Theatre

T - Aidan O'Brien

J - Padraig Beggy

Three starts for Aidan O'Brien, failing to score or get near in each.

Either side of runs at the Curragh and Naas, he finished fourth on the All-weather at Dundalk in October, before a poor reappearance in March on the turf.

Big big outsider, and surely in this to assist stablemates.

4. Guaranteed

T - J S Bolger

J - Kevin Manning

Despite ending his juvenile campaign on a higher, nothing his guaranteed here for Bolger's experienced three-year-old, who has not offered much since returning from winter break.

Two efforts in 2019 - both at Leopardstown when combined he has only managed to beat one home in a total field of thirteen.

Won a nice Group Three at the same venue in October, but another individual facing a tough ask.

5. Hillwalker

T - Thomas Cleary

J - Rory Cleary

The Cleary's combine with Hillwalker, who makes a return to the scene after 335 days off the track.

It's going to be quite a jump to this company after winning a standard maiden at Gowran Park in June, second time out after fourth on debut at the Curragh (behind Decrypt).

Add him to the list of 100/1 shots.

6. I Am Superman

T - M D O'Callaghan

J - Leigh Roche

I Am Superman will need to show his powers if taking this top prize, having come through the handicap route.

He attempted a Class One for the first time when contesting Listed company at the Curragh earlier this month, but was a beaten favourite in fifth.

Prior to that he wont two nice handicaps at Naas and Leopardstown, but the best in the business are turning up off level weights here, and will need to drastically improve.

7. Magna Grecia

T - Aidan O'Brien

J - Ryan Moore

First of the real contenders, British 2,000 Guineas winner Magna Grecia avoids the Derby route to continue over the mile in his home Classic.

Stood out at Newmarket on the Rowley Mile on May the 4th, and the force was certainly with him capitalising on potential draw bias under the stands rail to motor home.

Best of the O'Brien bunch, and best of the field that day with all the form boosted with Persian King - the exciting french raider.

Will be a tough horse to beat.

8. Mohawk

T - Aidan O'Brien

J - Donnacha O'Brien

Donnacha O'Brien is growing a fine record for picking the winner of his dad's horses in the Classics - successful on Magna Grecia and Saxon Warrior in the past twelve months.

Mohawk was a good second to Circus Maximus in the Listed Dee Stakes at Chester on return on soft ground earlier this month, and drops back to a mile instead of moving up the gears.

Won the Group Two Royal Lodge Stakes as a juvenile, and far better than his price offers.

9. Old Glory

T - Aidan O'Brien

J - Wayne Lordan

The Zayat Stables-owned Old Glory will be hopeful of further glory by possibly running into some place money, if not better in Ireland's first Classic of the season.

This three-year-old was sent off a 6/4-on favourite last time at Dundalk in October, but victory was stolen off him by Aidan's son Joseph - who saddled No Needs Never to take the Listed honours.

Yard has other fancies, but son of Frankel does demand some respect.

10. Phoenix Of Spain

T - Charlie Hills

J - Jamie Spencer

Phoenix Of Spain is the interesting one away from the front duo, making his return to the track after a 200+ day absence from the track.

Finished an excellent second twice to finish the campaign last season, behind both Too Darn Hot and Magna Grecia both at Doncaster in Group Two and One level respectively.

Smart winner in the Acomb Stakes at York in August, and capable of further improvement.

11. Shelir

T - Dermot Weld

J - Chris Hayes

Dermot Weld sends the unbeaten Shelir to the Irish 2,000 Guineas in the classic winning colours of H H Aga Khan.

Two from two - both starts this season having not been seen as a juvenile, the son of Dark Angel struck at the Curragh and Navan in Listed company and a maiden respectively.

Open to further improvement, and could be one of the dark horses in the field.

Interesting.

12. Skardu

T - William Haggas

J - James Doyle

Two from two - both at Newmarket and most notably in the Craven Stakes, before finishing third in the 2,000 Guineas at the same venue earlier this month.

Great run under this jockey James Doyle, who emerged from the far side away from the pace, and has significant potential to go forward now to the next step.

Bred to want a mile no further and a definite contender here.

13. Too Darn Hot

T - John Gosden

J - Frankie Dettori

Too Darn Hot heads to Ireland to get his season back on track, after losing his unbeaten record in the Dnate Stakes last week at York.

That was his first appearance over a mile, and now will be dropped after failing to overcome Telecaster, who unlike the Champion two-year-old, is now Derby bound.

Too Darn Hot's juvenile campaign led him to be rated the same as Frankel, and must get back to winning ways here to remain a name in that category.

14. Van Beethoven

T - Aidan O'Brien

J - Seamie Heffernan

Son of Scat Daddy, Van Beethoven will need to rapidly up the ante to feature in this, despite a very busy juvenile campaign.

His last two efforts have been overseas, finishing down the field in the Group Two UAE Derby on the dirt in Meydan, before well behind Persian King at Longchamp in the French equivalent.

Hard to see him having a say on the outcome here.