Native is primed to return to winning Trail in 2,000 Guineas
DEFEAT in the Qipco 2,000 Guineas brought an end to the five-race unbeaten run of NATIVE TRAIL (Curragh, 3.20), but Godolphin’s champion juvenile can make up for it in the Irish equivalent today.
The son of Oasis Dream returns to the scene of his imperious National Stakes display last September looking to put a narrow Newmarket reverse at the hands of stablemate Coroebus behind him, when he bids to join Churchill, Gleneagles and Kingman on the recent rollcall of Irish Guineas winners.
With upwards of 11lb in hand on his adversaries, the bookmakers have understandably installed Native Trail at prohibitive odds to register a first Classic success.
However, those prices appear realistic given the superiority he appears to enjoy and it will be a major disappointment if he cannot convert a winning opportunity, even with the improving Buckaroo in opposition.
That son of Fastnet Rock was touched off by Derby contender Piz Badile in the Ballysax at Leopardstown before successfully reverting to a mile in the Tetrarch Stakes over this course and distance
Trainer Joseph O’Brien said: ‘Buckaroo was very good last time in the Tetrarch Stakes over the same course and distance as the Guineas at the Curragh. He’s come out of that race well and we are looking forward to the weekend.’
Jim Bolger, who won last year’s Irish 2,000 Guineas with Mac Swiney, is represented by Wexford Native, who was a four-length runner-up to Buckaroo last time.
Aidan O’Brien has already won the first Irish Classic of the year on a record 11 occasions and relies on the supplemented Ivy League, runner-up in a Group Three last time, to make it a dozen.
Dual Group One-winning sprinter A CASE OF YOU (Curragh, 2.45) warms up for a trip to Royal Ascot in the Weatherbys Ireland Greenlands Stakes.
Trainer Ado McGuinness said: ‘He has to give a penalty away to some very good horses, but you don’t give a penalty away for nothing and we’re hopeful of a very big run and roll on to Ascot after it.’
CAME FROM THE DARK (Haydock, 3.45) failed to shine at Newmarket, but returns to one of his favoured venues this afternoon and could upset likely favourite Winter Power in the Temple Stakes.
Trainer Ed Walker has sent out a number of recent winners to suggest his yard is in rude health and his classy grey sprinter boasts course statistics which read 17121.
Winter Power enjoys a class edge on the selection, who is yet to win at this level, but this race looks a perfect set up for Came From The Dark, whereas his short-priced rival seems to save her best for York.
WHOPUTFIFTYINYOU (Haydock, nap, 2.35) could prove a sporting bet in the Cazoo Silver Bowl as he took a while to hit top stride at Newbury and should relish the mile today.