3.35 Tattersalls Irish 2000 Guineas (Group 1) 1M

Decrypt: Very promising colt who had Lady Kaya in third when winning his maiden here last June and returned from 10 months off to win a Cork conditions race in fine style last month. This race demands vastly more but a decent showing looks entirely possible.

Emaraaty Ana: A victory in the Group 2 Gimcrack Stakes was the high point of last year’s four race campaign. On his return he finished down the field when a 66/1 chance for the 2000 Guineas, and he again has it all to do.

Globe Theatre: Capable 81-rated maiden who looks up to making his mark on the evidence of his last two runs, but his overall form falls well short of the required standard.

Guaranteed: Ended last season coming second in the Group 3 Killavullan Stakes before then winning the Eyrefield Stakes. Possibly a return to a mile will suit after he struggled in two outings over 1m2f lately but he needs to stage a major revival for this.

Hillwalker: Showed lots of promise in two runs last June, finishing fourth to Decrypt on his debut before then winning a 7f maiden at Gowran where he accounted for five subsequent winners. However, this is a big ask after 11 months off.

I Am Superman: Talented colt who got his season off to a fine start with commanding handicap victories at Leopardstown and Naas. Didn’t get to show his best when pulling a shoe in the Tetrarch last time and can do better, but this race requires a new high.

Magna Grecia: Top-class colt who ended last season with a narrow success in the Group 1 Vertem Futurity at Doncaster but looked much better on his return in the 2000 Guineas where he ran out a commanding 2½l winner when coming up the stands’ side rail. Can easily do better still and must have every chance of completing the Guineas double.

Mohawk: A victory in the Royal Lodge Stakes was the high point of his juvenile season and a creditable comeback second in the Dee Stakes suggested that he should be just as good this year. However, he could just have his work cut out as he drops back to a mile.

Old Glory: Impressed on his winning debut at Naas last September but was perhaps then a little disappointing in meeting with two defeats at stakes level, albeit reaching the frame on both occasions. He remains an interesting prospect but he has to take a step forward to play a leading role.

Phoenix Of Spain: High-class colt who won the Group 3 Acomb Stakes last August before ending his season with excellent runner-up finishes behind Too Darn Hot and Magna Grecia. That calibre of form must put him in with every chance and he is a danger to all.

Shelir: Highly promising colt who progressed from a debut victory at Navan to win the Listed Tetrarch Stakes over 7f at this track a few weeks ago. Can easily do better and looks a progressive type with a good future, so a prominent showing from him would not surprise.

Skardu: Promising English raider who improved from his debut to win the Craven Stakes and did better again to be beaten just over 4l into third in the 2000 Guineas when he did best of those that raced in the centre of the track. He definitely has more to offer.

Too Darn Hot: Unbeaten in four runs last season which culminated in a brilliant success in the Dewhurst Stakes. An interrupted preparation as opposed to the extended 1m2f trip might have been his undoing in last week’s Dante and he is easily forgiven that defeat. On last season’s form he is unquestionably the one to beat.

Van Beethoven: Won the Group 2 Railway Stakes last season and probably ran to a similar level when finishing a respectable sixth in the Poule d’Essai des Poulains (French 2000 Guineas) two weeks ago. Another solid showing is entirely possible but he has to improve to play a leading role.

Conclusion

Too Darn Hot lost his unbeaten record last week but suffered a somewhat interrupted preparation for his first run of the season, and with this in mind last year’s champion European champion two-year-old is taken to deny Magna Grecia the 2000 Guineas double. Skardu and Phoenix Of Spain are two more formidable English challengers who are likely to challenge strongly for a place in the frame.