Irish 2000 Guineas Betting Tips, Stats & History

Next Race: Friday, 12th June 2020

The next race is scheduled to run on 12th June 2020. The race info, trends and tips shown below will be updated for the next renewal once the final declarations have been made.

Irish 2000 Guineas Betting Tips

This looks an excellent renewal, offering an intriguing clash between the top Irish and British yards. Aidan O’Brien has sent out the winner of Newmarket’s 2000 Guineas here twice in the past four years, and both have followed up. We suspect it may be more of the same this time around.

No real surprise to see that it is Aidan O’Brien and Ballydoyle who have proven to be the dominant force in this of late, coming out on top in five of the past eight editions. With 11 wins in all, O’Brien is now the most successful trainer in the history of the contest.

Prior to 25/1 shock winner, Romanised, last year, this hadn’t been the place to go looking for a surprise result, with five of the previous nine favourites having obliged.

With five of this year’s field of 14 hailing from his yard, Aidan O’Brien looks to boast strong claims of improving his already formidable record in this race. Aidan likely won’t have things all his own way though with strong challengers lining up from both the English and Irish yards.

GREAT CHANCE FOR GRECIA

O’Brien may have five in the race, but there is one of that quintet who stands tall above the others in terms of form. Whilst Mohawk boasts a number of solid efforts, including when second in the Dee Stakes at Chester last time out, it is stablemate Magna Grecia who deservedly sits atop the market. Last season’s Racing Post Trophy winner looked better than ever when claiming the 2000 Guineas at Newmarket on his return to the track and looks to boast excellent claims. The fact that he only really got on top late at Newmarket before forging clear close home augurs well for this switch to a stiffer track.

HOT BACK TO THE BOIL?

The best of these runners as juvenile – indeed the best of any juvenile in Europe – was the John Gosden trained Too Darn Hot. Unbeaten during his two year old campaign, he traded at a short price for the English version of this race all through the winter, only to ultimately miss that engagement due to an injury setback. His comeback in the Dante was therefore much anticipated – and ultimately ended in disappointment. A length second to Telecaster was by no means a bad run, but it did nevertheless burst his bubble somewhat, and he will be looking to bounce back here.

For a horse who possesses so much raw speed, the 1m2f of the Dante was perhaps always going to be something of a stretch, and this step back down in distance looks to be the right call. If anywhere near the level of last season’s scintillating performances, he rates a major threat to all.

SKAR TO MAKE HIS MARK?

Much has been written about the perceived bias towards the near side in the 2000 Guineas, with Magna Grecia looking to be one of the main beneficiaries of racing on the “right” side of the track. As such William Haggas’s Skardu did pretty well to finish as close as he did. The Shamardal colt came out on top on the far side, to only be beaten 4¼l at the line. Another to have been doing all his best work late, this track can be expected to suit, and he shouldn’t be too far away.

Final Verdict: Magna Grecia To Win

Too Darn Hot is a short enough price for one who has a couple of questions to answer for us now. Not only was he beaten last time out, but he doesn’t look to have developed as much as some of his rivals. Skardu could be dangerous, as could the unknown quantity Shelir from the yard of Dermot Weld, but overall we see this going to the favourite.

Magna Grecia looked a horse on the up last season, and whilst he may not be the flashiest of individuals, he did it pretty easily at Newmarket last time out and - barring a possibly back to form Too Darn Hot - this race doesn’t look any stronger.