Irish 2000 Guineas: Tips, Runners & Odds

The first Irish Classic of the season comes up on Friday evening at 6.40 pm from the Curragh. Just six days after the English equivalent, there aren’t the usual double seekers or those with a run under their belts, making this a very different race.

Irish 2000 Guineas Runners

It’s no surprise to see Siskin heading the market, a perfect 4/4 as a two-year-old. He was a forward type last year, blessed with plenty of pace. All of his wins came over six furlongs so the step up to a mile is a big question that he has to answer.

Armory mixed it with the best last year, placed efforts behind both Pinatubo and Victor Ludorum. Bogged down on heavy ground when disappointing on his final 2019 effort, he’s worth another chance to prove he’s better than that.

Another to be behind Pinatubo last season was Lope Y Fernandez. Despite winning a Group 3 at the trip and his best RPR’s, to the eye the drop back to six furlongs wasn’t in his favour last year. This new trip should see him in a better light.

Just a length behind Siskin in the Phoenix Stakes last season was Royal Lytham. He is fitted with first-time blinkers on his return to action which sounds a slight note of caution. Sinawaan also merits a mention as one with each way claims. He was runner-up to Mogul when last seen, that Ballydoyle horse touted as a Derby contender.

Irish 2000 Guineas Betting

The unbeaten Siskin heads the market at 9/4. He looks to overcome his copybook being blotted at Newmarket last season when he had a stalls issue.

There are four others in the market at single-figure odds, all representing Ballydoyle. Armory and Lope Y Fernandez are 4/1 and 11/2 respectively with Vatican City and Royal Lytham following at 8/1 and 9/1. Get all the info on our Irish 2000 Guineas racecard.

Irish 2000 Guineas Tips

While Siskin is a worthy favourite to defend his unbeaten record, he isn’t bombproof. He steps into the unknown in terms of trip having shown plenty of speed as a juvenile. The stalls incident at Newmarket is a question mark over his temperament so he’s taken on.

Picking the right one from the Ballydoyle battalion is never easy but Lope Y Fernandez looks the way to go. He should appreciate the step up to a mile for the first time with middle-distance winners in the pedigree. He was forward enough to win at the first time of asking in 2019 and can repeat the dose.

Read more:

• Pinatubo set for revenge at Royal Ascot
• Three Irish trained horses bidding for Royal Ascot glory next week
• 7 horses for 7 years – remembering Sir Henry Cecil’s best