Irish 2000 Guineas odds: Leading contenders for Curragh glory

Hi Royal @ 9/2

North Yorkshire handler Kevin Ryan insisted his charge’s 125/1 second in the English equivalent was no fluke. The son of Kodiac, who was having only his fourth career start at HQ, only gave best to Chaldean inside the final furlong, despite veering across the track at one point, beaten a length and three-quarters at the line. Bruce Raymond, racing manager to owner Jaber Abdullah, said: “That was no surprise as Kevin told us in the paddock that he thought the horse could run a big race and that he thought he would handle the soft ground.”

Paddington @ 9/2

Aidan O’Brien has sent out a record 11 winners of this race but is currently looking to end a five-year drought. Paddington has the benefit of landing a 20-runner maiden at the Curragh in October by an eye-catching five lengths and claimed the Listed-class Tetrach Stakes over this course and distance at the start of the month. O’Brien said after that victory: “He won the three-year-old handicap at Naas over seven furlongs and this was his first step up to a mile. We thought that he’d get it and we’re delighted with him.”

Paddington – a name to bear in mind 🧸

The Coolmore colt shows his rivals a clean pair of heals in the Listed Tetrarch Stakes at the Curragh.

The talented son of Siyouni, holds a host of fascinating entries – including the Derby and the Irish Guineas

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— Champions Series (@ChampionsSeries) May 1, 2023

Proud And Regal @ 5/1

Donnacha O’Brien’s colt drops back in distance after faltering late on in a 10-furlong Derby trial at Leopardstown in testing conditions. The trainer felt this son of Galileo “travelled really well” that day and is hoping a shorter trip will suit. Proud And Regal won three of his five starts as a juvenile, which included the Group One Criterium International at Saint-Cloud, and was also second at elite level in the National Stakes here behind Al Riffa.

Galeron @ 11/1

Another who belied big odds to run well behind Chaldean at Newmarket, plugging on gamely to take fourth place at 150/1. Lambourn handler Charles Hills, who sent Phoenix Of Spain across the Irish Sea to secure an emphatic success in this race four years ago, said: “It was a fabulous result. He did really well and I’m delighted with him. He just got a little bit further back than what we’d hoped, but he came through them really well.” Galeron won the 19-runner Goffs Million at the Curragh on his final start last season. Coral’s David Stevens said: “The Qipco 2000 Guineas form will be well tested at the Curragh, with the second, third and fourth home at Newmarket all lining up, and we favour the middle of that trio, Royal Scotsman, to come out on top and land his own Classic triumph.”

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