CURRAGH FESTIVAL GRECNESS COULD EVADE MAG
Gosden’s colt may prove just Too Darn Hot
TOO DARN HOT will be strongly-fancied to bounce back from his Dante defeat and deny Magna Grecia a classic double in the Tattersalls Irish 2,000 Guineas at the Curragh.
John Gosden’s decision to reroute the Dubawi colt to the Curragh after his defeat by Telecaster in York makes today’s showpiece a fascinating renewal of Ireland’s first classic of the season.
Unbeaten at two, Too Darn Hot ended his campaign with an impressive defeat of Phoenix Stakes winner Advertise and Anthony Van Dyck in the Dewhurst at Newmarket, having earlier beaten PHOENIX OF SPAIN comfortably in the Champagne at Doncaster.
Having bypassed the English Guineas, Too Darn Hot started evenmoney favourite for the Dante but, keen early, he came from off the pace to hold every chance before going down by a length to Telecaster, when his stamina appeared to drain away at the business end.
Dropping back to a mile today, instead of being kept for the St James’ Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot, Too Darn Hot is officially rated 8lb superior to Magna Grecia and, if back to his best, might have the edge.
Magna Grecia, which leads a five-strong Ballydoyle challenge, is bidding to become the 10th colt to complete the English-irish 2,000 Guineas double and give Aidan O’brien a 12fth win in the race.
Winner of the Group 1 Futurity at Doncaster on his final juvenile start, beating Phoenix Of Spain by a head, the Invincible Spirit colt proved a decisive winner of the Qipco 2,000 Guineas in Newmarket three weeks ago, when the draw/pace bias left an unsatisfactory impression of the classic.
Ryan
Moore’s mount, on home soil, should step forward from that outing, when he was ridden by Donnacha O’brien. And, if there are any chinks to Too Darn Hot’s armour, the Ballydoyle colt will find them in what will probably develop into a tactical race, with a strong pace virtually guaranteed and sure to suit both market-leaders.
Beaten over four lengths by Magna Grecia in Newmarket, having previously landed the Craven, the William Haggas-trained SKARDU will renew rivalry with the Ballydoyle colt while Charlie Hills’ Phoenix Of Spain, runner-up to both of the main fancies last year, is making his seasonal debut today.
Of the others, Paddy Twomey’s grey DECRYPT, a smooth winner in Cork on his seasonal bow, is interesting while MOHAWK, runner-up to stable-companion Circus Maximum in Chester, is expected to outrun his odds.