Hotazhell can edge out Field of Gold in intriguing Irish 2,000 Guineas
Field Of Gold, favourite for Saturday's Irish 2,000 Guineas at the Curragh, poses a fascinating 'back-or-oppose' puzzle for punters after his fast-finishing second behind Ruling Court in the English equivalent this month.
Kieran Shoemark, the colt's rider in the Newmarket Classic, lost his job as John and Thady Gosden's stable jockey after what was seen by many as an unlucky defeat on the Rowley Mile. Colin Keane, Ireland's champion in six of the last eight seasons, will be holding the reins when Field Of Gold sets off at around even-money in an attempt to emulate his sire, Kingman, who won the Irish 2,000 in 2014 after finishing second at Newmarket a few weeks earlier.
While it is easy to blame a jockey for a fast-finishing defeat, though, it is rarely that simple and in the context of Saturday's Classic, the Newmarket form feels suspect. Several very obvious candidates from 2024's juvenile crop were missing from the lineup, the early pace was slow and the winner's timefigure was well below average for a Classic.
Saturday's field, in fact, could prove to have more strength in depth than Field Of Gold faced last time, and while the unbeaten Cosmic Year, another runner for the Juddmonte operation, has obvious claims, the pick of the prices may be Hotazhell (3.40) at around 8-1. Jessica Harrington's colt edged out Delacroix, a leading ante-post fancy for the Derby, in last season's Group One Futurity Trophy on heavy ground at Doncaster but has strong form – including a Group Two win over Saturday's track and trip – on better ground too.
Haydock 1.15: The four-year-old Candonomore already looks more consistent than he did last year – he was gelded over the winter – and a 4lb rise after he completed a quick double for the season at Leicester this month is largely accounted for by Amie Waugh's 3lb claim.
Goodwood 1.30: Tuco Salamanca, a 12-1 shot in early betting, made a very satisfactory return to turf at Ascot this month, posting a useful time in the process.
Haydock 1.50: The form of King Casper's three-length defeat of Transparent at Newmarket last time is the strongest on offer in what is always a useful three-year-old handicap.
Beverley 2.10: Ali Shuffle, the likely favourite, remains unbeaten, had the ideal draw at Chester last time and may face a different calibre of opponent here. Angel Numbers, a smooth winner on debut at Chepstow 11 days ago, is speedily bred and has obvious scope for progress.
Haydock 2.25: An ideal eight runners for each-way purposes and Tasmania is an interesting option. Sir Mark Prescott ran her in Group One company for her stable debut last summer and she remains a blank canvas for her new trainer, as today's race will be only her fourth since finishing third in the French Oaks in June 2023.
Beverley 2.45: Three of the six runners were winners on debut last time while Andrew Balding's Old Is Gold was only third at Ascot this month, but he shaped very well in defeat behind Military Code, the second-favourite for the Norfolk Stakes at Royal Ascot next month.
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Haydock 1.15 Candonomore 1.50 King Casper (nb) 2.25 Tasmania 3.00 Powerful Glory 3.30 Rumstar (nap) 4.10 Maelstrom 4.40 Gibside.
Goodwood 1.30 Tuco Salamanca 2.05 Amiloc 2.35 Blue Nguru 3.15 Perfect Your Craft 3.45 French Master 4.20 Empress Of All 4.55 Walnut.
Beverley 1.35 Tarriance 2.10 Artista 2.45 Old Is Gold 3.20 Spring Chorus 3.55 Diligent Resdev 4.25 Dandy's Angel 5.00 Light Up Our Stars.
Catterick Bridge 1.40 Highfield Sunshine 2.15 Hype Merchant 2.50 Captain Potter 3.35 Reservardo 4.05 Between The Sticks 4.35 Synergism 5.13 Beauzon.
Cartmel 4.00 D Day Arvalenreeva 4.30 Getaway Vic 5.05 Mermaids Cave 5.38 Fairlawn Flyer 6.08 Hurricane Ali 6.38 Big Bee Hive 7.08 Toombridge.
Salisbury 4.45 Ardisia 5.20 Billy Mill 5.50 Stanhope Gardens 6.20 Realign 6.50 Jasour 7.20 Kosometsuke 7.50 Babylon 8.20 Marioento.
Windsor 5.30 Al Waseela 6.00 Angel Of Anfield 6.30 Little Saver 7.00 Dream Out Loud 7.35 Strike 8.05 Phaedra 8.35 Serenity Dream.
Haydock 3.00: Symbol Of Honour is an obvious market leader on his win at Newbury last weekend but this is a quick turnaround. Powerful Glory, last year's Mill Reef Stakes winner, could take advantage.
Goodwood 3.10: Several promising three-year-old fillies in opposition and the once-raced novice stakes winner Perfect Your Craft could emerge as the pick of them.
Haydock 3.30: Rumstar returned with a career-best at Newmarket this month with four of today's opponents behind him and looks the type to improve through the sprinting ranks as the season develops.
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