Tattersalls Guineas Weekend at the Curragh

Spectacular weekend in store for three days of racing from Friday evening. Kfm broadcasting live on Saturday and Sunday

The opening Classic races of the Irish Flat season will be the highlights of a spectacular weekend of racing in the Curragh. 

A dozen colts have stood their ground for Saturday’s Tattersalls Irish 2,000 Guineas with English 2,000 Guineas runner-up Hi Royal set to make the trip over for trainer Thirsk-based Kevin Ryan. 

The third and fourth placed horses from Newmarket’s edition, Royal Scotsman, who was supplemented by Paul and Oliver Cole and the Charles Hill-trained Galeron are also engaged to run on Saturday as they bid for Classic glory as will the Roger Varian-trained Charyn who was eighth in the race. Simon and Ed Crisford may add further British interest with Group 3 winner Knight. 

Aidan O’Brien will bid to win his first Irish 2,000 Guineas since Churchill in 2017 with his possible assault on the race coming from Age Of Kings, Cairo and Paddington.

Donnacha O’Brien didn’t manage to add the Irish 2,000 Guineas to his collection as a jockey but may do so as a trainer with Proud And Regal. 
Bold Discovery and Quar Shamar are in the mix to give Jessica Harrington further Classic success, while the Luke Comer-trained Alexander John completes the 12 entries. 

The Group 2 Weatherbys Ireland Greenlands Stakes has attracted nine possible runners. Course and distance winner Moss Tucker might make a quick return to action after being second at Naas last weekend, while Charles Hills could run the talented Garrus who was successful at Newmarket last month. 

11 fillies going forward for a tilt at the Tattersalls Irish 1,000 Guineas. 

The Aidan O’Brien-trained Jackie Oh has been supplemented for the fillies Classic to join stable companions Dower House, Never Ending Story and last season’s Royal Ascot and Breeders’ Cup winner Meditate. 

Dermot Weld won last year’s renewal of the 1,000 Guineas with Homeless Songs and the master of Rosewell House is still doubly represented with English 1,000 Guineas runner-up Tahiyra and also Tarawa. 
Weld, who has broken so many records throughout his illustrious training career, is now bidding to provide His Highness Aga Khan with a first win in the Irish 1,000 Guineas.  
"We'll make a decision about Tahiyra in the next day or two but she's most likely to run,” Weld reported on Tuesday afternoon. 
"It's just like any other horse, you just want to check all the parameters out and if we're happy with everything when the time comes, she runs. And right now, she's most likely to run.
"The same applies with Tarawa. A decision will be made on her, if not tomorrow, then on Thursday but she's quite a possibility to run as well.
"We're very happy with both fillies," Weld added. 
Course and distance winner Aspen Grove is one of two entries for trainer Fozzy Stack who may also saddle You Send Me as he bids for the biggest victory of his training career. 

Overseas runners are likely throughout Sunday’s card with the John Quinn-trained Breege the sole British-trained runner in Sunday’s feature. 

Jim Bolger will seek a first Irish 1,000 Guineas victory since Pleascach in 2015 with Comhra likely to represent Bolger, while Jessica Harrington’s Moyglare Stud-owned Eternal Silence completes the 11 acceptors for the second Classic of the weekend.  
 
The Jean-Claude Rouget-trained Vadeni will be a fascinating runner in the Group 1 Tattersalls Gold Cup having been supplemented for the €450,000 contest this morning. 

A vintage renewal of the 10-furlong contest awaits with further overseas interest courtesy of the Owen Burrows-trained Anmaat and Sir Michael Stoute’s Bay Bridge.

Noel Meade landed the Tattersalls Gold Cup with Helvic Dream and looks to repeat that feat with Layfayette on Sunday. 
Aidan O’Brien has a typically strong representation with Luxembourg and Point Lonsdale, while his son Donnacha may saddle Piz Badile and older son Joseph including Above The Curve and Buckaroo.

Jessica Harrington may have Moyglare Stud-owned representation in both Group 1 races on Sunday as she has included the talented four-year-old filly Trevaunance, while the Willie McCreery-trained Insinuendo could tackle more Group 1 company. 
McCreery has given Insinuendo the option of the Group 2 Lanwades Stud Stakes on Sunday which has attracted a 13-strong entry. The Joseph O’Brien-trained Goldana, Honey Girl, Inidian Wish and Jumbly give the Piltown conditioner a strong hand. 
 
Additional information ahead of the Tattersalls Irish Guineas Weekend 
 
Race Times
Friday                    1st race 4.50pm                 last race 8.30pm
Saturday                1st race 1.20pm                 last race 5.25pm
Sunday                  1st race 1.45pm                  last race 5.25pm
 
Ground
The ground at the Curragh is currently good, good to firm in places.  
 
Transport
Trains to Kildare and Newbridge with free shuttle bus to and from races. Free Shuttle Bus from the Square in Kildare Town and outside Eddie Rockets Restaurant, Main Street in Newbridge
Expressway service from Dublin City Centre (and Red Cow Luas Stop) – see expressway.ie
 
Free Car Parking
                              
Television Coverage
Friday                   All races live on Racing TV
Saturday              RTE Television coverage with five races live (2nd to 5th races) and all races live on Racing TV
Sunday                 RTE Television coverage with five races live (2nd to 5th races) and all races live on Racing TV
 
Admission (at entrance)
Friday €20            Saturday €30      Sunday €30
Concessions for Seniors
Under 18s free, accompanied by an adult
Special offers available to purchase on line at www.curragh.ie including Curragh Bundle
 
Hospitality and Dining
Limited number of packages still available for purchase
 
Entertainment
Friday      
Naas Hospital Choir to welcome racegoers and the post-race party will be with Abbaesque live on stage
 
Saturday 

Kfm Outside Broadcast 1.30 to 5.30pm
Newbridge Gospel Choir to welcome racegoers and post-race party will be with Nite Train.
There is also the Moyglare Kids Zone with free activities for younger racegoers
 
Sunday        

 Kfm Outside Broadcast 1.30 to 5.30pm         
Newbridge Gospel Choir to welcome racegoers. Prize for the Best Dressed to include a luxury stay in the magnificent Cashel Palace Hotel with transport from Finlay Volvo and a magnum of Moet Imperial Brut.
There is also the Moyglare Kids Zone with free activities for younger racegoers including Wooly Farm, Imagination Station and Face Painting