CURRAGH

3:45 BOYLESPORTS IRISH 2,000 GUINEAS (GROUP 1) (ENTIRE COLTS & FILLIES) (3yo) 1m

FAMOUS NAME 9-0 ~ Comfortably put in his place by New Approach in the Group 1 National Stakes and he also has almost a length to find with Jupiter Pluvius on the Group 3 Killavullan Stakes form. That was all as a juvenile though and he looked to have progressed over the winter when making his 3yo debut in the 2000 Guineas Trial at Leopardstown. He comfortably beat a decent pair and it proved at least he has improved since last year. The ground is a worry though as he ideally needs some cut in the ground and he needs to show considerable improvement to be able to match it with the first two in the market.

HENRYTHENAVIGATOR 9-0 ~ Unbeaten on ground faster than good and turned around Group 2 Futurity Stakes form with New Approach when winning the 2000 Guineas last time. The speed he showed when coming out of the pack to mow down New Approach was impressive and he is sure to have another battle with Jim Bolgers colt in similar conditions. The yards runners were all showing the benefit of a run at the time and there is sure to be some improvement left in the locker. Without doubt a serious player in todays race.

JUPITER PLUVIUS 9-0 ~ Seemingly the yards main hope for the 2000 Guineas before injury caused his withdraw and with Henrythenavigators victory he has been usurped by his stable mate in the pecking order. He is currently unbeaten but needs to step up considerably on his juvenile form but he looks to have the potential to spoil the party. However he can’t be backed with any confidence given the obvious class of the front two in the market and he has it all to prove.

NEW APPROACH 9-0 ~ Gutsy front running display in the 2000 Guineas but he just didn’t have enough pace to see off the eventual winner Henrythenavigator. He really should have been stepped up in trip, but that’s another story. He reposes today and there is the chance that he will grab the rail, which can sometimes be a big advantage at the Curragh, and he will repel all challengers. However he doesn’t look to have as much potential improvement in him as the Ballydoyle rival and on todays firm ground he could once again he beaten for pace.

NOWNOWNOW 9-0 ~ Winner of the Breeders Cup Juvenile Turf last season but the 2nd Achill Island has done nothing for the form since and the race was no more than a equivalent Group 3 on this side of the pond. It was an impressive performance though as he showed a pace to mow down the field. That was on soft ground and there is the concern that he won’t be equally effective on this fast ground but he is an American bred colt so it shouldn’t be too much of a problem. He is an interesting outsider on his debut for David Wachman but he’ll need to improve considerably to be involved in the finish. Also as this is his debut on this continent and his first run as a 3yo he has plenty of questions to answer about whether the horse has trained on, adapted well in Ireland and whether he is at the peak of fitness. Although interesting there are plenty of questions hanging over his chances so a watching brief is advised with an eye to the future.

SAMMY THE SNAKE 9-0 ~ No argue here that his debut performance after running lose at the start was a taking effort but this is a completely different ball game. The three extra furlongs, firm ground and more than a year off the track mean the horse faces a whole different challenge to his maiden. Trained by the eccentric Brendon Duke and his price reflects his chance.

STUBBS ART 9-0 ~ Career best effort when a well beaten 3rd behind Henrythenavigator in the 2000 Guineas. He has been supplemented for this race but although he has said to have improved he doesn’t have the scope of the front two in the market and 3rd in the best connections can hope for.

WINDSOR PALACE 9-0 ~ No doubt a pacemaker from Ballydoyle to try to serve it up to New Approach in the first half of the race. No chance of being involved at the finish on all known form.

CONCLUSION

Clearly a two horse race and the key piece of form is the 2000 Guineas which for me Henrythenavigator looked to be the horse to take out of the race. New Approach was lacking that vital turn of foot and with a smaller field Henrythenavigator should get a clear run and use his pace to sweep past him in the final furlong.

The race for 3rd looks interesting with Nownownow appealing at a price ahead of Jupiter Pluvius.

1pt WIN – HENRYTHENAVIGATOR @ 13/8

RESULT

HENRYTHENAVIGATOR 1st = +2.46pts