Gleneagles completes Classic double with 2,000 Guineas win at the Curragh

Gleneagles overcame trouble in running to complete a Classic double in the Tattersalls Irish 2,000 Guineas at the Curragh.

Ryan Moore had to wait for a gap on the Newmarket Guineas hero, but he was never flustered and once in the clear the Aidan O'Brien-trained 2-5 favourite showed his class as he produced a tremendous turn of foot.

Richard Hannon's Ivawood looked to have an easy time in front under Richard Hughes, but he was strongly pressed by Endless Drama before Gleneagles burst on the scene.

Gleneagles went on to score by three-quarters of a length from Endless Drama, with Ivawood occupying third place as he did at Newmarket. Belardo was fourth for trainer Roger Varian.

Moore said: “The ground is just slow enough for him and just blunted his pace a bit.

“He didn’t have a lot of room, but he had the gears and the class to go through. He put his head down and fought well at the end, he’s a very exciting colt.

“I felt I was on the best horse, and when you’re on the best horse invariably the gaps come.”

The Galileo colt was left in the Investec Derby at the latest forfeit stage, and O’Brien said: “We’ve got another horse (Giovanni Canaletto) to run tomorrow and the decision will be made in the next week.

“He has always worked like a miler, he’s strong and quickens very well.

“He’s never had to show the kind of courage before that he showed today.

“The Curragh is a tough mile in that ground. It was very borderline that he ran.

“I’m delighted with him. He travelled well and quickened well and Ryan gave him a great ride.

“He had to come when he came and he was courageous. He has a load of pace, as he showed at Newmarket, and might have laboured a bit on that ground. He has a big heart as well as everything else.

“You’re never sure until you dip them what courage they have and he had to be courageous today. He wanted it. You can’t test them for that.

“He had a good bit to do from the interchange and the danger was in front. It’s not an easy thing to do here at the Curragh.

“We’re so lucky to have this track. It’s the fairest track in the world and the best horse usually wins. If they go a fair gallop you usually get the opportunities.

“He had to fight for three furlongs and in the last half-furlong Ryan said ‘come on, I need you again’.

“Originally the plan was to come here and then go to Ascot. We only gave him three half-speeds since Newmarket as I had the view that you can’t put his head to the stone every day.

“The plan was Newmarket, here, Ascot then Goodwood, but the plan could change along the way and the boys will decide.

“When I was going through the forfeits for the Derby I was crossing off all the horses and put a line through him, but the boys said to leave him in.

“I’ve always thought he was a miler and we haven’t had a miler like him in a while, but everyone knows how important the Derby is and obviously if he went there that would forfeit Ascot.

“He’s a natural free-sweater, and his dad was like that, but he’s not a worrier.”

Coolmore supremo John Magnier appeared to suggest the Derby would be unlikely.

He said: “The horse has proved he can battle. We are happy really. The ground is a bit softer than he would like. That’s the way it is and we’re lucky to have it as good as that probably.

“The next thing is probably to think about the St James’s Palace. That will probably be the next thing. We will take it step by step.

“We paid for the option (of the Derby), so we are hardly going to declare it today without being clever about it, but it’s unlikely.

“We’ll have to discuss it with Michael (Tabor), Derrick (Smith), Aidan and all the lads, but it looks pretty obvious.”

Mustajeeb marked himself out as the emerging force on the sprinting scene with victory in what looked a strong renewal of the Weatherbys Ireland Greenlands Stakes at the Curragh.

Settled in mid-division as Astaire blazed a trail and Sole Power was held up by Richard Hughes, Pat Smullen got a real tune out of Dermot Weld's four-year-old when he pressed the button.

Picking up Majestic Queen a furlong out after it had taken over from the Ryan Moore-ridden leader, he stayed on powerfully to hold the late charge of Maarek by a length.

The 4-1 winner was having his first try at six furlongs since his two-year-old debut.

Smullen said: “He could be a very, very good sprinter this year, he has so much pace.

“I’ve thought for a long time he was a sprinter, he’s been showing so much pace.

“Back to this trip I think he’s got a proper career ahead of him this year as a sprinter.”