Irish 2000 Guineas: Timeform preview and free Race Pass

There are 11 runners set to go to post in the Irish 2000 Guineas (15:40) at the Curragh on Saturday, with a four-strong team from Britain including Timeform top-rated Royal Scotsman (weight-adjusted rating 131).

Royal Scotsman enjoyed a productive campaign as a juvenile, winning on a couple of occasions, including in Group 2 company in the Richmond Stakes at Glorious Goodwood, and he produced his best effort on his final start of the season when getting to within a head of subsequent 2000 Guineas winner Chaldean in the Dewhurst Stakes.

Royal Scotsman was beaten about two and a quarter lengths by Chaldean when third in the 2000 Guineas on his return but he did really well to get as close as he did on a day when not a lot went right for him. He harmed his chances by pulling so hard in the early stages and he then found plenty of trouble, including over two furlongs out when still going well. He kept on nicely when in the clear, showing his stamina for the trip on his first attempt at a mile, and that eyecatching effort earned him the Horse In Focus Flag.

Royal Scotsman narrowly tops Timeform's weight-adjusted ratings based on his Dewhurst effort, though Hi Royal (130) also figures prominently on the figures due to his fine effort when splitting Chaldean and Royal Scotsman in the 2000 Guineas.

Hi Royal was a 125/1 shot on that occasion but he showed much improved form, seeming well suited by the switch to positive tactics and stepping back up in trip to a mile. He was ultimately beaten a length and three-quarters but may well have finished closer had he not hung badly to his left after looking a big danger to the winner. He should launch another bold bid here.

Completing the team from Britain are another two runners who contested the 2000 Guineas last time, Charyn (119) and Galeron (120).

Galeron enjoyed a big payday when landing the Goffs Million at this venue on his final start last season, but in form terms he raised his game when fourth in the 2000 Guineas and he holds claims of making the frame again.

Charyn was below form in eighth in the Guineas and was beaten before the extra furlong became a factor on his first try at a mile. He had shown useful form when runner-up in the Greenham Stakes on his return over seven furlongs.

The pick of the Irish team appears to be Paddington (122p), one of three runners for Aidan O'Brien who has won the race a record 11 times.

Paddington was too green to do himself justice on debut at Ascot last season but took a big step forward with that experience under his belt to win a seven-furlong maiden here on his final start at two. He returned with a ready success in handicap company at Naas and took the step up to listed company in his stride over this course and distance earlier this month, again winning with a bit up his sleeve.

That performance earned Paddington the Horses For Courses Flag, highlighting his effectiveness at this venue, and, while more is needed here, he still has the 'p' to denote he's a likely improver.

O'Brien also runs Cairo (117) who showed useful form when winning a Group 3 at Leopardstown on his final start at two and a listed race at Dundalk on his return in March. He disappointed in the UAE Derby last time but that effort is best overlooked as he proved unsuited by the dirt surface. O'Brien's team is completed by Age of Kings (112) who was third behind the reopposing Proud And Regal in the Tyros Stakes when last seen at Leopardstown in July.

Proud And Regal (122), who is trained by Aidan's son Donnacha, won three times during a productive campaign at two, including in Group 1 company in the Criterium International over a mile at Saint-Cloud. He had run to a similarly smart level when runner-up in the National Stakes here and that effort has earned him the Horses For Courses Flag. Proud And Regal failed to match his best form when third in the Derby Trial over a mile and a quarter on his return a few weeks ago but he is entitled to be sharper for that outing and has the ability to make his presence felt.

Jessica Harrington, whose Sprewell won that Derby Trial, is represented here by Bold Discovery (111) and Quar Shamar (102p). Bold Discovery was only fifth behind Paddington last time so looks up against it, while this is a massive rise in class for Quar Shamar on the back of a Dundalk maiden win.

The field is completed by Alexander John (88+) who is still a maiden and looks out of his depth at this level.

Timeform's Analyst Verdict:

Royal Scotsman did really well to finish as close as he did when third in the 2000 Guineas at Newmarket given how things panned out for him (pulled hard and met trouble) and he certainly has the ability to win this if settling better. Hi Royal finished half a length in front of the selection that day so is an obvious contender, while the progressive Paddington must be respected for a yard that has won this a record 11 times.

Timeform's weight-adjusted ratings:

131 Royal Scotsman
130 Hi Royal
122p Paddington
122 Proud And Regal
120 Galeron
119 Charyn
117 Cairo
112 Age Of Kings
111 Bold Discovery
102p Quar Shamar
88+ Alexander John

Race Passes are the ultimate form guide, providing Timeform analysis, Flags and ratings for every runner in every race in Britain and Ireland. Subscribers have access to additional features that add extra levels of insight, including complete performance histories, an extensive form archive and unlimited use of horse, jockey and trainer searches.

Just log in and click here to view the full card and Timeform analysis for the 15:40 at the Curragh on Saturday. You can subscribe to Race Passes to access every race here.