Hannon to Tackle the Irish Battalions at The Curragh

Richard Hannon couldn’t have come much closer in the opening colts Classic of the season, with his duo of Rosallion and Haatem filling the second and third positions behind Charlie Appleby’s Notable Speech in the 2,000 Guineas at Newmarket.

Three weeks after that event at HQ, Hannon will roll the Classic dice once more, with Rosallion and Haatem set to line up for the Irish 2,000 Guineas on Saturday 25 May. If successful – and the market gives Hannon every chance, with Rosallion the clear favourite across the board and Haatem no bigger than 7/1 – the Wiltshire handler will follow in the footprints of his father, Richard Hannon Snr, who won this three times with Don’t Forget Me (1987), Tirol (1990), and Canford Cliffs (2010).

Duo Impress in Pre-Race Workout

Hannon’s Classic chasing duo were put through their paces on Sunday morning, with both earning positive comments from their trainer, particularly Rosallion, whom Hannon said “travelled like a genius”. Long held in the highest regard by the Hannon yard and already a Group 1 winner, having landed the 2023 Grand Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere at Longchamp, the son of Blue Point looks a worthy favourite for the race but is unlikely to have things all his own way.

No Notable Speech, but O’Brien Squadron Lies in Wait

With Newmarket hero Notable Speech foregoing a shot at this prize to be kept fresh for the St James’s Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot, Rosallion and Haatem are set to be the only British raiders in the 2024 lineup. The absence of the 2,000 Guineas champ certainly enhances their claims, but Hannon still has a certain Irish trainer to worry about – going by the name of Aidan O’Brien.

With 12 previous Irish 2,000 Guineas titles crammed into his overpopulated trophy cabinet, O’Brien is the most successful trainer in the history of the Curragh showpiece and looks set to make a bold bid to improve that record.

Of the 11 runners remaining in the race before final declarations, no fewer than six hail from O’Brien’s Ballydoyle operation – Henry Longfellow, Igor Stravinsky, Mountain Bear, River Tiber, The Liffey, and Unquestionable.

O’Brien String Weaker Than in Previous Years?

Superstar winners from the O’Brien yard pepper the recent history of this race, including Rock Of Gibraltar, Henrythenavigator, Churchill, and Paddington. It is too early to say whether this year’s Ballydoyle delegation go on to hit those heights, but those most likely to run have more questions to answer than would usually be the case.

Henry Longfellow appears likely to be kept back for the St James’s Palace Stakes, but that may change if the current good ground softens appreciably before the race. The Liffey would need to take a huge step forward, having been well beaten at Group 3 level last time out, whilst the attractively bred Igor Stravinsky faces a dramatic step up in class following a maiden success, and may tackle a lower grade before stepping into Group 1 company.

All of which leaves Mountain Bear, River Tiber, and Unquestionable as the three most likely O’Brien contenders, but the vibes aren’t particularly strong about any of that trio. The speedy River Tiber has the six-furlong Commonwealth Cup as a possible target; Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf winner, Unquestionable, is having his first outing following a setback and is expected to improve for the run, whilst Mountain Bear spent time in a cast following his fine second in that Breeders’ Cup event.

If Hannon is to add his name to the Irish 2,000 roll or honour, this may be his best opportunity to do so.