4.10 TATTERSALLS IRISH 2000 GUINEAS (GROUP 1) 1M

Elarqam: Ended last term as an unbeaten dual winner and saw off the subsequent Guineas second Tip Two Win in a Newmarket Group 3 in September. Returned to the fray with a fine fourth to Saxon Warrior at Newmarket (beaten just over 2l) and there is every chance that he can progress off that comeback, which makes him a leading contender.

Gustav Klimt: Looked a top-notch prospect when overcoming all sorts of trouble to win at Group 2 level last July and came back from a lengthy absence to post a fine win over Imaging in a heavy ground 7f listed race at Leopardstown last month. Probably didn’t run up to his best in the 2000 Guineas next time but didn’t run at all badly in being beaten just over 3½l into sixth and could easily bounce back.

Landshark: Began his career with a taking success in a 6f Leopardstown maiden last August and only ran once more, when finishing a 6l second to U S Navy Flag in a Group 3 at this track. The latter’s subsequent exploits put that last run in a very positive light and he can surely do better still after just two runs. However, this represents an exacting starting point for the campaign and it will also be his first venture beyond 6f.

Romanised: Ran some good races in defeat after winning his maiden last April, notably when finishing a 2l second to the high-class Masar in a 7f Group 3 at Sandown in September. He shaped better than his final position would suggest and looked as though he would be all the better for the run when beaten 3½l into sixth by Imaging in the Tetrarch Stakes earlier this month. He might be one to outrun his odds.

Spanish Point: Showed definite promise on his three runs last term, the pick of which was his narrow second to Zabriskie in a Tipperary maiden in September. This represents a daunting assignment for his reappearance and his form to date leaves him well short of the required standard.

Symbolization: Lightly-raced type but has already made up into a smart sort and appeals as one that can do better still. His comeback second to the subsequent stakes winner Purser at Newmarket last month represents solid form and he followed that with a fine victory off a mark of 100 in a decent three-year-old handicap back at that track several weeks later. He isn’t one to underestimate.

Theobald: Progressed from his taking debut victory to be placed in a couple of Group 3 events last summer. However, he has since come up short in better company and his reappearance in the Derrinstown Derby Trial would indicate that he has plenty to do if he is to make his presence felt on his return to Group 1 company.

Threeandfourpence: Showed lots of promise in three runs last season – headed by a good fourth in the Dewhurst – and returned to action with a good second to Mendelssohn at Dundalk two months ago. However, he has since come up short in Meydan and on unsuitably slow ground in America. The return to a sound surface will suit him well but he does have questions to answer.

U S Navy Flag: Ended last season as Europe’s champion two-year-old following a campaign which climaxed with victories in the Middle Park and Dewhurst Stakes. His comeback run on unsuitable ground is easily forgiven and he showed up well under less than ideal circumstances (stumbling badly less than half a mile from home) in the Poule d’Essai des Poulains (French 2000 Guineas) last time. He could easily improve on what he has shown this term and the switch to quick ground is a major positive for his chances.

Would Be King: Lines up as a maiden after five runs but he has run some excellent races in defeat against quality opposition and has reached the frame on all three of his outings at stakes level. A comeback second behind Imaging in the Tetrarch was encouraging but he now takes a sharp rise in class and this represents his first venture beyond 7f.

Zihba: Unbeaten and highly promising colt who took a significant step forward from his first two wins to defeat Pincheck by 1½l in the Group 3 Amethyst Stakes at Leopardstown a fortnight ago. He has room for further progression and two of the last three Amethyst winners to take in this race have been placed, which points to a strong showing from this colt.

THE VERDICT

Elarqam ran very well in the 2000 Guineas and that first run of the season can be expected to bring him forward which earns him the vote in quite an open looking edition of this race. He is chosen ahead of U S Navy Flag who ran well under less than ideal circumstances in France last time. Gustav Klimt is surely better than he got show at Newmarket and he too warrants every consideration. The unbeaten Zihba and the progressive Symbolization are others who could make their presence felt.