Irish 2000 Guineas Guide 2022

Lost his unbeaten record last time out, in the English equivalent of this. Native Trail ran a big race to finish second to the hugely talented Coroebus, but had the beating of the rest of the field.

That form looks to be the best on offer here, and he’s clearly very talented. The one to beat.

Disappointing last time out, when finishing 5/7in the Leopardstown Derby Trial. Prior to that, he’d looked full of promise. It’s interesting he’s dropping back in trip today – he did always look as if he wanted at least 10f, maybe further.

He has a small chance on form, but he’s likely going to be found out by classier horses again.

Unbeaten at two. Atomic Jones was last seen a few weeks ago in the Leopardstown Derby Trial, when 4th to the impressive – now Derby favourite – Stone Age.

He was short of room at a few stages there and it was a nice enough run. Dropping back to a mile must be a question mark. Good form but something to prove in this company

Unraced at 2. He’s been busy thus far, as a 3yo running 4 times since the 26th March. He won a maiden, a handicap, and was second last time out in a Group 3.

He’s clearly on an upward curve and still looks to be learning on the job. Ivy League looks to have lots of ability, he could well go close.

A winner on debut beating Sun King quite comfortably, he then ran a massive race on just his second start to finish second to Buckaroo.

On the basis of that form, he has a few of these held, but he will need to reverse the form with the winner, which is by no means an easy task. He is unexposed though and he looks to have bundles of ability.

Interesting.

Buckaroo is a solid horse and he’s done nothing but improve. He took a listed race over course and distance last time out in fine style, quickening clear of both Wexford Native (2nd), New Energy (3rd) and Malex (4th).

Buckaroo looks to be holding a fair few of these on form – he’s clearly still improving and he rates as a top chance here.

Showed a smart level of form at 2. He did run in the Burradon at Newcastle just over a month ago, and he never had any racing room.

He did well to finish as close as he did. With a run under his belt, his true ability still looks up for debate. He’s an interesting runner, and he’s not without an each way chance.

Won a twenty runner maiden first time out from Boundless Ocean in second. Malex then ran in a listed race over course and distance last time out, won by Buckaroo.

Malex was a shade unlucky and ultimately eased towards the business end of the race as a result of a lack of racing room. He’s clearly got ability, and he’s rather unexposed.

He has work to do to reverse the form with a few of these though.

Third to Buckaroo last time out. He has work on to reverse the form with him, but he does look to have a reasonable enough chance of getting closer.

New Energy will need to find masses of improvement to win this though. Hard to recommend.