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Posted 2026-05-21 22:26:08  
Gstaad heads Irish Guineas field seeking Classic redemption

Gstaad will attempt to convert Newmarket class into Irish Classic glory when he faces nine rivals in Saturday's Tattersalls Irish 2,000 Guineas at the Curragh. The Aidan O'Brien-trained colt stands as long odds-on favourite after pushing Bow Echo closer than any other runner in the Newmarket Guineas, with that effort following a juvenile campaign that brought three Group One placings before breakthrough success at the Breeders' Cup.

Charlie Appleby holds second favouritism with Distant Storm, who finished third at Newmarket some eight lengths behind Gstaad. The Godolphin trainer secured this race with Native Trail in 2022 and will be represented by Billy Loughnane in the saddle, deputising for the suspended William Buick. Appleby also saddles Pacific Avenue, while O'Brien's second string Neolithic adds depth to the Ballydoyle challenge.

Fozzy Stack's Thesecretadversary emerged from Newmarket with his reputation intact and brings legitimate claims to the Curragh contest. Karl Burke's Alparslan bypassed the British Classic entirely, arriving off a Greenham Stakes victory where he accounted for Zavateri and Albert Einstein.

Power Blue, a Group One winner for Adrian Murray last season, now carries the Amo Racing silks under Robson Aguiar's training. Go Just Do It, Bamako Beach and Take Charge Star complete the 10-runner field for the opening Irish Classic of the season.

Runners and Riders

Alparslan – Sam James
Bamako Beach – Colin Keane
Distant Storm – Billy Loughnane
Go Just Do It – Dylan Browne McMonagle
Gstaad – Ryan Moore
Neolithic – Wayne Lordan
Pacific Avenue – Jamie Spencer
Power Blue – David Egan
Take Charge Star – Ben Coen
Thesecretadversary – Seamie Heffernan

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