How are we? It’s been a while! I’m still only getting used to the freedom. With the shackles of formal education off and firmly behind me, that honeymoon period of relief mixed with a hint of nostalgia is beginning to fade and the stark realisation that the “Real World” awaits now takes centre stage. The prospect of an extended job hunting period is a daunting one. However, to take my mind off of all that doom and gloom the Irish 2000 guineas tomorrow at the Curragh provides a timely distraction.

This is the 93rd running of the 1 mile contest which is the Irish equivalent of the Newmarket classic. Only seven horses have won the two contests, but the general route to success at the Curragh is a crack at Newmarket. Not since 2001, and Black Minnaloushe,  has a horse won the Irish guineas without running 3 weeks earlier in the English edition. This makes the 2000 guineas at Newmarket an invaluable reference point in the search for tomorrows winner.

Horsemen up and down the country, as well as high stool pontificators in many public houses, see Dawn Approach as the shining light of this years 3 year old crop of colts and his impressive guineas win validates their assumptions. He seems to be an ace miler and is the “benchmark” to which you can compare any of this years contenders over the trip. The question of whether he’ll get the Derby trip is a another day’s work.

Magician is the current 9/4 favourite. Aidan O’Brien presents this son of Galileo on behalf of the Magnier, Smith and Tabor trio. I can’t understand why he is 9/4. His form is underwhelming at best, with his achievements to date highlighted by winning a middling 5 runner Dee stakes at Chester two weeks ago, competing against horses that were rated 91. This shows us precious little other that he gets further than a mile. Maybe he’ll like the better ground tomorrow and will be competitive by winding it up from the front. Maybe he’s working well at home? All the same, he is a very unqualified favourite in my eyes and is toxic at 9/4. George Vancouver doesn’t do it for me either after his 10th place finish in Newmarket. Others think that run was too bad to be true and we will see the real horse tomorrow. I would agree with that sentiment, but still can’t see him winning. Gale Force Ten was fourth in the French guineas on bottomless ground. All his runs on turf have coincided with the softer ground suggesting that’s what he prefers. His win on the all weather is not enough to convince me that he’ll stick the fast ground and his claims are lacklustre.

Johnny Murtagh, in his new guise as fully licensed trainer, provides two of the ten runner field. Ask Dad is the rank outsider and is potentially a tactical sidekick to Fort Knox. This well bred son of Dubawi was recently sold to Sheikh Mohammed for an undisclosed figure. The rumor mill suggests that he paid more than enough for him to Andrew Tinkler. However, I doubt that the Sheikh will get what he has paid for tomorrow. The Murtagh charge won the guineas trial at Leopardstown with an impressive run from the back, but the competition is a little above him tomorrow and I would suspect he will be seen off by others.

The Hannon’s come with two. Havana Gold was 5th in the French guineas (behind Gale Force Ten). However, he ran on very well from the back and hit the front at one stage coming to the line. He also ran into second behind an impressive Toronado in the Craven. He makes for an interesting each way prospect at 7/1. Van der Neer is the one I’m going for tomorrow. He was second to Kingsbarns in the Racing Post trophy last October. He ran into third behind an imperious Dawn Approach in the English guineas and has always been highly thought of in Hannon’s yard. His inflated price on the guineas day was perhaps due to his over hyped stable companion Toronado, who did not fulfill his potential in that race. That hype perhaps lead to Van der Neer being forgotten about and he ran a great race in my opinion. With Hughesie in the plate I’m giving this fella every chance.

Each way snafflers should not forget about Bolger’s sole entry, Trading Leather. He was second to Battle of Marengo in a  Breeder’s cup Juvenile turf trial at Leopardstown, won his maiden at Gowran, won the group three Autumn stakes as a 2yo and came 5th in the Racing Post. His run into second in the Dante showed he has a bit of grit and is definitely worth each way consideration.

So after all that waffle we can conclude that Van der Neer is the selection. Trading Leather and Havana Gold the each way alternatives.

Im going to the Curragh tomorrow so I’ll be tweeting from the track of any information I get for the guineas and the rest of the card, so follow @turftalktom.

Also, does anyone want to give me a job??!! Please!!!!!

Best of luck with your selections, here’s hoping Van der Neer can do the biz.

Slán tamaillín,

T