Spotlight on Saturday – Field Of Gold romps to Curragh glory
Field Of Gold's connections left Newmarket disappointed with second in the English 2000 Guineas three weeks previously but there was barely a moment of worry at the Curragh for the John & Thady Gosden-trained son of Kingman, as he blazed to glory in the Juddmonte silks with new rider Colin Keane keeping things ultra-simple in the first Irish Classic of the season.
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Field Of Gold was beaten half a length after finishing fast and late under Kieran Shoemark in the British mile Classic three weeks ago.
Six-time Irish champion rider Keane was called in and made smooth progress with a couple of furlongs to run before sprinting clear for Classic glory.
Field Of Gold came home a cosy three-and-three-quarter-length victor over his fellow Juddmonte-owned runner Cosmic Year for Harry Charlton as the British raiders enjoyed a one-two, with Hotazhell a further three-quarters of a length back in third for Jessica Harrington.
"It was as good a feel as I've had off a horse in a long time," Keane told RTE Sport. "He's just so straightforward and powerful."
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Saturday's ITV Racing Results
1.15 Haydock - Hell Nook Handicap (1m)
1st: Great Chieftain (Paul & Oliver Cole / William Buick) 11/4 fav
2nd: Dashing Darcey (Geoffrey Harker / Silvestre De Sousa) 17/2
3rd: No Retreat (George Scott / Callum Shepherd) 100/30
1.30 Goodwood - Harroways Handicap (7f)
1st: Silver Ghost (Emma Lavelle / Marco Ghiani) 11/1
2nd: Miss Nightfall (James Fanshawe / Saffie Osborne) 15/2
3rd: Tuco Salamanca (Ollie Sangster / Nicola Currie) 15/2
1.50 Haydock - Silver Bowl Handicap (Heritage Handicap, 1m)
1st: Teroomm (Roger Varian / Silvester De Sousa) 3/1 joint-fav
2nd: Tilted Kilt (William Knight / Cieren Fallon) 8/1
3rd: Alfentiko (Paul & Oliver Cole / William Buick) 22/1
2.10 Beverley - Hilary Needler Trophy EBF Fillies' Conditions Stakes (5f)
1st: Argentine Tango (Tim Easterby / David Allan) 15/8 fav
2nd: Meelaf (Karl Burke / Shane Gray) 15/2
3rd: Artista (Ollie Sangster / Sam James) 11/4
2.25 Haydock - Hedge Of Oak Stakes (Listed Race Fillies & Mares, 1m2½f)
1st: Diamond Rain (Charlie Appleby / William Buick) 9/4 joint-fav
2nd: Running Lion (John & Thady Gosden / Cieren Fallon) 9/4 joint-fav
3rd: Place Of Safety (John & Thady Gosden / Benoit De La Sayette) 8/1
2.45 Beverley - bet365 Two Year Old Trophy EBF Conditions Stakes (5f)
1st: Old Is Gold (Andrew Balding / PJ McDonald) 6/5 fav
2nd: Naval Light (Karl Burke / Sam James) 3/1
3rd: Raakeb (Richard Hannon / Sam Hitchcott) 5/1
3.00 Haydock – Sandy Lane Stakes (Group 2, 6f)
1st: Symbol Of Honour (Charlie Appleby / William Buick) 2/1 fav
2nd: Arabian Dusk (Simon & Ed Crisford / Harry Davies) 18/1
3rd: First Instinct (William Haggas / Cieren Fallon) 11/1
3.15 Goodwood - Height Of Fashion Stakes (Listed Race Fillies, 1m2f)
1st: Victoria Harbour (Karl Burke / Pierre-Louis Jamin) 12/1
2nd: Music Piece (Andrew Balding / David Probert) 5/1
3rd: Never Let Go (Ed Walker / Hollie Doyle) 15/2
3.30 Haydock – Temple Stakes (Group 2, 5f)
1st: Mgheera (Ed Walker / William Buick) 10/1
2nd: She's Quality (Jack Davison / James Ryan) 8/1
3rd: Washington Heights (Kevin Ryan / Tom Eaves) 14/1
3.40 Curragh – Tattersalls Irish 2000 Guineas (Group 1, 1m)
1st: Field Of Gold (John & Thady Gosden / Colin Keane) EVS fav
2nd: Cosmic Year (Harry Charlton / Oisin Murphy) 4/1
3rd: Hotazhell (Jessica Harrington / Shane Foley) 9/1
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Irish 2000 Guineas Analysis
Three weeks ago at Newmarket all talk centred on Kieran Shoemark's ride on Field Of Gold. The jockey admitted he may have had too much confidence as Ruling Court got first run on him and he was only able to close for second.
The Gosden team vowed to use the 'best available jockey' going forward and Keane was the go-to man at the Curragh, a track he knows every inch of.
It was all very simple time, Keane keeping wide out of any trouble and motoring clear in the closing stages for an authoritative success.
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What's Next?
For the third time in the last four years the Irish 2000 Guineas went the way of the runner-up in the Newmarket version.
Field Of Gold was widely considered unfortunate on the Rowley Mile but he was too strong in Ireland.
The St James's Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot next month looks the next stopping point on Tuesday June 17th, where a possible rematch with Charlie Appleby's Ruling Court could take place as well as the likes of Henri Matisse, winner of the French 2000 Guineas at Longchamp for Aidan O'Brien.
Saturday Statistics
Biggest SP winner of the Day – Tiger Tulip (Windsor 7.35) 33/1
Widest Margin winner of the Day – Father's Advice (Cartmel 6.38) 18 lengths
Successful Jockeys: William Buick (4)
Successful Trainers: Ralph Beckett (3)