ITV Racing Tips: Can Armory upset Siskin in the Irish 2000 Guineas?
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There are three days of racing to look forward to on ITV4 this weekend, starting with a colossal nine-race offering on Friday evening which includes the Irish 2000 Guineas.
All eyes will be on unbeaten colt Siskin as he bids to do what Pinatubo couldn’t at Newmarket last week and carry his two-year-old form forward into this season.
There’s also the Group 3 Gallinule Stakes plus three further races from The Curragh, while Newbury provides a four-pronged Handicap offering. We’ve previewed the feature contests below.
Race of the Day – Irish 2000 Guineas – The Curragh, 18:40
Aidan O’Brien has won this race five times in the last eight years. He has six chances this time around, with Armory and Lope Y Fernandez looking the most likely rivals to market leader and long-term jolly Siskin.
The foremost of the pair is the one who grabs our attention following a hat-trick of wins last season, including in the Group 2 Futurity Stakes, alongside three subsequent frame finishes in Group 1 contests.
As we touched on in our preview, the Galileo colt is almost certain to get the trip, while his form behind Pinatubo and Victor Ludorum last term has been backed up in both the English and French 2000 Guineas.
The Master of Ballydoyle had both Love and Wichita spot on last weekend, and with question marks over Siskin’s temperament and ability to get the trip, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see Armory put it up to him.
Next Best – Gallinule Stakes – The Curragh, 18:10
Thought O’Brien had a stranglehold on the Guineas? Try looking at the Gallinule. The Ballydoyle handler has won this 1m 2f contest an incredible 16 times since 1997, with 11 successes in the last 14 renewals alone.
He saddles three in 2020, with Mythical a comfortable favourite after dotting up at Gowran and then performing with credit in the Group 3 Zetland Stakes and the Group 1 Criterium de Saint-Cloud.
Nothing in the race comes close to him in terms of both form or ratings, with the unbeaten Crossfirehurricane for son Joseph likely to be his nearest challenge as he looks to build on a Listed win last time out.
One to Watch – Newbury, 16:55
Our final race is the second to be shown by ITV on Friday, and it features Sir Michael Stoute’s Society Lion bidding to continue his two-year-old promise as he goes Handicapping for the first time.
The Invincible Spirit colt ran well in a hot Newmarket maiden on debut and followed that up by scoring readily at Yarmouth when last seen ahead of Saudi Derby runner-up and Newmarket Stakes winner Mishriff.
That suggests there’s more to come from this progressive type, with Count Of Amazonia, Johan and Breathalyze, who finished second to Classic Trial runner-up Berkshire Rocco last summer, also in contention.
Friday 12th June ITV Racing Schedule:
16:40 The Curragh – Irish Stallion Farms EBF Maiden
16:55 Newbury – Class 3 Handicap
17:10 The Curragh – Equine MediRecord Handicap
17:25 Newbury – Class 2 Handicap
17:40 The Curragh – Anglesey Lodge Equine Hospital Handicap
17:55 Newbury – Class 2 Handicap
18:10 The Curragh – Gallinule Stakes (Group 3)
18:25 Newbury – Class 3 Handicap
18:40 The Curragh – Irish 2000 Guineas (Group 1)
All odds and markets correct as of date of publication
