Irish 2,000 Guineas 2018 Horse Racing Preview And Tip

The Irish 2,000 Guineas (Sat 26 May) is traditionally the first of the Irish Classics and it is run over 8 furlongs at the Curragh, the home of all five Irish Classics. The inaugural Irish 2,000 Guineas took place in 1921, since when it has been one by some of the biggest equine stars on either side of the Irish Sea, including Grundy, Sadler’s Wells, Triptych, Tirol, Rodrigo de Triano, Barathea, Rock Of Gibraltar, Dubawi, Henrythenavigator, Canford Cliffs, Kingman, Gleneagles, and Churchill.

Irish 2,000 Guineas 10-Year-Trends

• Aidan O’Brien has trained seven of the last 10 winners
• Six of Aidan O’Brien’s last seven winners had either won or been beaten in the English 2,000 Guineas
• Ryan Moore has ridden two of the last three winners
• Six of the last 10 favourites have won
• SP’s have ranged from 2/5 to 5/1
• Winners have been rated between 106 and 122

Irish 2,000 Guineas 2018 Main Contenders

Elarqam

Trained by Mark Johnston to be fourth in the English 2,000 Guineas on just the third start of his career. That meant he was a lot less experienced than his brilliant parents, Frankel and Attraction who had more runs before winning their respective Guineas. Therefore, he looks likely to improve here on a track that should also suit, providing he handles the travelling okay on his first venture outside England.

Gustav Klimt

Winner of three of his four starts before finishing sixth in the English 2,000 Guineas. Therefore, as he was more experienced than Elarqam, and it was his second run of the season, there seems no obvious reason why he should reverse the placings with Elarqam. However, he wouldn’t be the first O’Brien horse to underperform in England before returning home to win this race.

U S Navy Flag

Very experienced two-year-old who seemed to put up his best performances towards the end of last season. However, he has been below par so far this term, including in the French 2,000 Guineas. Asking a lot of him to win this, especially as the majority of his sire’s offspring seem to be better as two-year-olds rather than three-year-olds.

Imaging

Winner of three of his five starts but was beaten on heavy ground by Gustav Klimt two starts ago. The ground shouldn’t have been an excuse, as he had won on that sort of ground before but could improve for better ground having not been asked to race on it so far.

Zihba

A completely unknown quantity after winning his first three races but was receiving loads of weight from his elders last time when winning over a mile on good ground at Leopardstown. More needed but can’t be ruled out until he loses his unbeaten record.

Irish 2,000 Guineas 2018 Summary

The longest-priced winner in the last 10 years has been 5/1, so it will be a shock if this doesn’t go to one of the first few in the betting. U S Army Ranger looks under-priced, but Zihba and Imaging have chances. However, the form of the English 2,000 Guineas has already been advertised when the fifth won the Dante Stakes. Therefore, this may be between Elarqam and Gustav Klimt, with the formbook suggesting a win for Elarqam but the stats suggesting a win for Gustav Klimt. However, with Elarqam open to more improvement, he looks the best bet.

Irish 2,000 Guineas 2018 Tip

Elarqam

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