Trainer Ger Lyons and jockey Colin Keane.

Lyons has 2000 guineas options

This weekend marks the return of Classic action at the Curragh and Kiltale-based trainer Ger Lyons currently has three of the 16 entries with Cappella Sansevero, Convergence and Endless Drama all left in Saturday’s Tattersalls Irish 2,000 Guineas. ahead of Thursday morning’s declaration stage. 

Aidan O’Brien’s Gleneagles is bidding to become just the fourth horse this century to complete the English and Irish 2,000 Guineas doubl

Trainer Aidan O’Brien said on Tuesday morning; “Gleneagles has been in good form since Newmarket and we are looking forward to running on Saturday at the Curragh. We will decide a little later in the week what else we will run in the 2,000 Guineas”. 

Adding plenty of depth to the Tattersalls Irish 2,000 Guineas is Britain’s champion trainer, Richard Hannon, who intends on running Ivawood, third behind Gleneagles at Newmarket, and possibly his stable companion Lexington Times, while Roger Varian’s Group 1-winning Dewhurst Stakes winner Belardo is another intriguing runner. 

Also on Saturday there is the prospect of last season’s Horse Racing Ireland Horse of the Year Sole Power having his first run in Ireland since he finished second at the Curragh back in August 2011 as connections keep a close eye on ground conditions before deciding whether to go to the Curragh or Haydock on Saturday. 

Sole Power may well be the headline act in the Group 2 Weatherbys Ireland Greenlands Stakes which still includes Tom Hogan’s globetrotting stable star Gordon Lord Byron and an interesting contender in last year’s Jersey Stakes winner Mustajeeb for Dermot Weld. 

Further interest for racegoers on Sunday will be the chance to see Epsom Derby entry Giovanni Canaletto in the Group Three Airlie Stud Gallinule Stakes as he prepares for a possible tilt at the Derby next month.

Racecourse manager Paul Hensey is looking forward to the weekend; “The entries are very encouraging and we looking forward to Gleneagles lining up in the Tattersalls Irish 2,000 Guineas on Saturday and I think all our feature races have held up extremely well,' he said.

'The Tattersalls Gold Cup looks to be as good as we’ve had in a long time and the whole weekend is very exciting. Sunday’s 1,000 Guineas features a lot of high class fillies and Devonshire being added to the field this morning just adds to that.” 

The fashion stakes are high on Sunday 24th of May with the Most Stylish competitions running for both ladies and gents.  The Irish Tatler K Club Style Icon competition in association with Cullen & Co Jewellers is an event not to be missed! With a total prize fund of over €10,000.

Judges include Norah Casey, Kathryn Thomas, leading fashion designer Joanne Hynes, Alexander Fitzgerald, Sharon Smurfit and Anna Fortune

Adult admission tickets cost €20 or there is a two-day festival ticket for  €35.  Adult admission with coach transport from Dublin costs €30 on either day and can be booked on www.curragh.ie.  There are half price concessions for under 25s and seniors while under 16s are free.

There is free car parking at the Curragh Racecourse and trains from Dublin to Kildare Town with free shuttle bus to races. Dublin Coach also provide a service on race days (see dublincoach.ie).

RACE SCHEDULE

Saturday 23rd May 2015

1.40pm  Killashee Hotel EBF Maiden Fillies 6f

2.15pm  Cold Move Marble Hill Stakes

2.45pm  Weatherbys Ireland Greenlands Stakes (Group 2) 

3.20pm  Tattersalls Irish 2000 Guineas (Group 1 Classic) 

3.55pm  Lanwades Stud Stakes (Group 2) 

4.30pm  Hanlon Concrete Handicap 10f

5.05pm  EBF Premier Handicap 8f

Sunday 24th May

1.40pm  Big Bad Bob EBF Maiden Colts 6f

2.15pm  K Club Hotel, Spa and Ryder Cup Venue Handicap 6f

2.45pm Airlie Stud Gallinule Stakes (Group 3)

3.20pm Tattersalls Gold Cup (Group 1)

3.55pm  Tattersalls Irish 1000  Guineas (Group 1 Classic)

4.30pm  N Conlan & Sons BMW Premier Handicap 12f

5.00pm  Irish Tatler Celebrating 125 Years Handicap 10f

5.30pm  Dublin Coach to the Curragh Races EBF Maiden