Gleneagles (centre) beats Endless Drama (right) and Ivawood in the Tattersalls Irish 2,000 Guineas© Photo Healy Racing
Aidan O'Brien saddled his tenth winner of the Tattersalls Irish 2,000 Guineas as Gleneagles extricated himself from a pocket just in time to justify odds of 2/5 at the Curragh.
The Galileo colt became the fourth horse this century to complete the Newmarket/Curragh Guineas double, and is now 4/7 with Paddy Power to follow up at Royal Ascot in the St James's Palace Stakes.
Richard Hughes elected to set the pace on Newmarket third Ivawood and Gleneagles had a wall of horses in front of him as the leader kicked for home over two furlongs out.
However Ryan Moore, who partnered Gleneagles' sister Marvellous to land the Irish 1,000 Guineas 12 months ago and was recording his first success in this race, found a gap just in time and got down to serious work on the hot-pot.
The Ballydoyle trained colt struck the front about 100 yards out and stayed on wel to beat Endless Drama by three quarters of a length, with Ivawood another half-length away in third.
O'Brien said, "I was a little worried as the ground was as slow as he wanted. If the good had gone out of it he wouldn't have run as he's a fast ground horse.
"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 everyday.
"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 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."
Moore said, "That ground is just slow enough for him. 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 he fought well at the end. He's a very exciting colt.
"I felt I was on the best horse, and when you are invariably the gaps will come."
Endless Drama's trainer Ger Lyons said, "It's all systems go for the St James's Palace subject to everything being okay.
"He showed he gets a mile well and it took what Aidan says is the best he's had for a while to beat him.
"He needs to be dropped in and ridden like that. In a good race you can do that. He should improve again. Convergence also ran a blinder."
((GC & AM)
