Field Of Gold Horse for Irish 2000 Guineas Bid

Field Of Gold Horse will line up as the favourite for Saturday’s Tattersalls Irish 2000 Guineas after nine colts were confirmed for the Group 1 feature at the Curragh. Trained by John and Thady Gosden, the grey colt is seeking to go one better than his recent second in the Betfred Irish 2000 Guineas at Newmarket, where he made up ground late to finish behind Ruling Court.

Following that performance, a change in the saddle sees Colin Keane take the reins. Kieran Shoemark, who partnered with the Field Of Gold horse at Newmarket, is no longer the retained rider at Clarehaven Stables. Keane, a multiple champion jockey from Ireland, brings a wealth of local knowledge to the ride, and the pair have been placed at 4/5 favourite by Paddy Power.

The three-year-old, owned by Juddmonte, has been progressing with every run and arrives at the Curragh in good spirits.

Among the contenders, Cosmic Year stands out as a strong challenger. Trained by Harry Charlton, this son of Kingman remains unbeaten in three starts and is tackling the mile distance for the first time. Oisin Murphy takes over the ride from Ryan Moore, who is committed to Ballydoyle’s Officer. Murphy last rode Cosmic Year to a solid victory in a seven-furlong listed race at Newmarket. Paddy Power lists Cosmic Year at 11/2, the same price as Officer.

Officer, by Dubawi and ridden again by Ryan Moore, enters this horse race following a Listed win over the same course and distance earlier this month. Both Cosmic Year and Officer have shown promise in limited outings and look to confirm their potential here.

Aidan O’Brien’s entry, Expanded, is also in the field. After finishing ninth in the Irish 2000 Guineas at Newmarket, Expanded will have Wayne Lordan aboard. Although he has yet to match the performances of the leading horses, connections are giving him another opportunity at Group 1 level.

Two other runners bring Group 1-winning experience: Hotazhell, trained by Jessica Harrington, and Scorthy Champ, trained by Joseph O’Brien. Hotazhell recently finished third in a Guineas trial at Leopardstown, while Scorthy Champ, though not in top form this season, carries strong credentials from last year.

The field of Gold horse entries provides depth and quality to this race, making it a compelling event for fans and bettors alike. The Tattersalls sales have a reputation for producing well-bred talent, and several runners in this race have connections to those auctions. Tattersalls sales often highlight horses like Cosmic Year and Officer, which adds an extra layer of interest to the contest.

Overall, the race draws from a strong group of competitors, including those from the field of Gold horse category and those with Tattersalls backgrounds, creating a diverse and competitive lineup.

The field also includes Comanche Brave, trained by Donnacha O’Brien. He finished second in the Group 3 ‘Red Rocks’ Stakes earlier in the season, behind subsequent French Guineas winner Henri Matisse. Comanche Brave has been steadily progressing, and the team will be hoping he can take another step forward here.

Brian Meehan’s Rashabar is another name with prior high-level results, having won the Coventry Stakes at Royal Ascot in 2024. His three-year-old campaign has been quiet so far, and he arrives off a break, possibly aimed specifically at this race.

Andrew Balding sends Windlord, who finished second in the bet365 Classic Trial at Sandown. Windlord will wear cheekpieces for the first time, which the team hopes will bring about improved focus.

With only nine runners declared, tactics may play a significant role in the outcome. Several runners have shown a preference for strong finishes, while others, like Rashabar, tend to race prominently. Ground conditions are expected to be good, with a dry forecast leading up to Saturday.

Field Of Gold horse, with strong recent form and a favourable draw, is considered by many to be the one they all must match. Still, Cosmic Year and Officer have done little wrong in their short careers, and both enter the race with enough credentials to suggest they could be involved in the finish.

The Irish 2000 Guineas is often a key indicator of summer potential among three-year-old colts, and this year’s edition features a balance of proven runners and lightly raced talents. While all eyes may be on Field Of Gold horse, the depth of the line-up leaves room for movement in the betting and a possible upset on the day.