Mark Johnston returns to the Curragh with Elarqam whose sire Attraction landed the conditioner the Irish 1000 Guineas in 2004. The colt showed promise when he landed two lengths behind Saxon Warrior in the 2000 Guineas at Newmarket earlier this month.
Of Aidan O’Brien’s five runners, it is U S Navy Flag and Gustav Klimt who have the potential to lead in this Gr.1 event. The latter was around one and a half lengths behind Elarqam at Newmarket in the English 2000 Guineas. The Dewhurst Stakes winner's performance in the Poule d'Essai des Poulains at Longchamp was nothing short of disappointing but he has to be respected from a better starting berth here.
Of the remainder, it is the unbeaten Zihba that looks most interesting, having taken a big step forward in form terms when winning the Amethyst Stakes at Leopardstown last time.
English raider Symbolization is also worth a mention for all this represents a big step up in class. He finished runner-up to a subsequent listed winner on his reappearance and won a mile handicap at Newmarket last time. A strong, attractive colt, he will continue improving for a while longer yet, and it is interesting that top connections are stepping him up so steeply in grade here
Watch Irish 2,000 Guineas 2017 race
Elarqam,Gustav Klimt,Landshark,Romanised,Spanish Point,Symbolization,Theobald,Threeandfourpence,U S Navy Flag,Would Be King,Zihba
Distance: 1 mile (1,609 metres), Surface: Turf,Track: Right-handed, Qualification: Three-year-olds excluding geldings, Weight: 9 st 0 lb Allowances 3 lb for fillies, Purse: €300,000
Credit: Pallavi Shevade pallavi.shevade@secretaristworld.com