More of the Same
Newmarket’s G1 2000 Guineas worked out as many had expected long beforehand, with Gleneagles (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) proving a cut above, and now that the pecking order has been established it will be a surprise if Michael Tabor’s bay does not follow up in Saturday’s G1 Tattersalls Irish 2000 Guineas at The Curragh. Of the last five to attempt this Classic double three have made it, with Ballydoyle’s Rock of Gibraltar (Ire) and Henrythenavigator the most notable and the same stable’s George Washington (Ire) (Danehill) failing only due to the prevalent testing conditions in 2006. Unbeaten in Kildare, Gleneagles has all angles covered now that the ground has dried, and the only question mark would arise if any unexpected rain arrives.
“He’s very like Giant’s Causeway, really, but he probably would have more speed,” Aidan O’Brien, who is chasing a 10th renewal, commented of the close relative to that six-time Group 1 winner. “That’s the way we would rate him at the moment. He’s a very well-made horse–not too big and not too small. He has a great step to him, a lovely head and a lovely mind. He travels very well in his races and quickens well. When he gets there he doesn’t do a lot, but he’s very professional.”
O’Brien added, “He hasn’t done a lot, it’s only three weeks since [Newmarket]. He had an easy week after and then he did three half-speeds and seems in good form. We’d love to keep him on good ground or better, so hopefully the ground will be good and we’ll look forward to Saturday.”
On the face of it, there is too much clear water between him and Ivawood (Ire) (Zebedee {GB}) for it to be feasible for the Richard Hannon trainee to mount a serious challenge in this rematch. Separated by three lengths in the May 2 Classic, there is little evidence that the British raider will find improvement over this mile, which stretches his stamina to the limit. Now that the impressive G2 July S. and G2 Richmond S. winner has suffered three straight defeats, it appears that some of his former luster has gone, but his conditioner remains in customarily positive mood. “The odds are stacked against us, but we think Ivawood has improved again since the Guineas and, though we are not claiming we will beat Gleneagles, who looked a proper horse at Newmarket, we have always loved our fellow and he’ll be giving his all to gain revenge.”
In what is becoming a pattern of the current European flat season, strength in depth is definitely lacking, and although he has plenty to find, Endless Drama (Ire) (Lope de Vega {Ire}) is still relatively unexposed. Ger Lyons holds Sheikh Khalifa, Sheikh Suhaim and the QRL Partnership’s bay in high regard, but he has two defeats to his name this term–albeit respectable efforts–when second to Zawraq (Ire) (Shamardal) in the Apr. 12 Listed Leopardstown 2000 Guineas Trial at this trip and to Tombelaine (First Defence) in the Listed Tetrarch S. over seven furlongs in testing conditions here May 4.