Trail will lead way home
The Irish 2,000 Guineas is here and what a treat in store, with Charlie Appleby bringing over star attraction Native Trail (3.20).
The Oasis Dream colt was housed here with ex jump jockey Norman Williamson before being purchased by Godolphin at a breeze-up sale for £210,000.
In the interim he went on to be the best twoyear- old in Europe last season, winning the National Stakes and the Dewhurst.
Rival
He suffered his first defeat in the English 2,000 Guineas behind stablemate Corobeus.
I feel that rival got the first run on the day and Native Trail is still the best miler in this neck of the woods.
He should make that very clear by putting plenty daylight between himself and his rivals this time.
Age Of Kings has had the best run of those in the two-year- old maiden but Ryan Moore has instead opted with newcomer Congo Ri ver (1.35) so himself and Aidan O’Brien must think this is the one. Who are we to disagree?
Attitude
A small field lines up for the Marble Hill and there doesn’t appear to my eyes to be a standout.
I liked the attitude shown by Ger Lyons’
To ugh Talk (2.10) to battle it out well.
I can’t say he’s for sure the best in there but will try hard and give you a run for your money.
Ado McGuinness’ A Case Of You (2.45) has been globe trotting and picking up plenty cash, none more so that when collecting the Group 1 at Meydan.
There is not a huge sprint programme in
Ireland so this has been the plan for a while.
He is the best sprinter here and will put that in no doubt once more.
Willie Mullins doesn’t revert his horses to the flat unless he is fairly sure it is going to pay off.
Career
Stratum (3.55) may not have been good enough for the Orby previously in his career but with Willie’s ability to get them to step up once more, he is surely at that level now.
Curragh handicaps have no place to hide and such large fields make it hard to collect.
Giving it a jab, I nominate Golden
Twi ligh t (4.30) after a profitable winter in Dundalk.
That can be followed by Esc ulenta (5.03) to continue a fine run for both himself and Johnny Murtagh and finally Ginsberg (5.35) to once more avail of Sean Bird’s valuable claim.