Gleneagles wins 2000 Guineas at Newmarket

Gleneagles gave Aidan O'Brien his seventh QIPCO 2000 Guineas success as he ran out a convincing winner of the first Classic of the season at Newmarket.

Sent off an easy-to-back 4/1 favourite for the mile event, Ryan Moore's mount was very much in control heading into the dip and kept on to win by two and a quarter lengths.

The Andre Fabre-trained Territories was second, with Ivawood a further three-quarters of a length back in third. Bossy Guest took fourth for each-way punters who placed their bets with firms such as Sky Bet who paid out on an extra place.

Despite changes to the position of the starting stalls and running rail this year, the field still split into two with Kool Kompany leading down the centre of the track and Home Of The Brave heading the charge up the near side.

Moore settled in behind on that side early on, tracking the fancied Intilaaq, and produced his mount with over a furlong still to run, while Ivawood was desperately trying to assert down the middle of the track.

With his turn of foot quickly taking him clear from the fading Home Of The Brave, Gleneagles had far too much in reserve and held the charge of the staying-on French raider Territories in second.

O'Brien said: "He was always a good traveller. When he gets there he doesn't do much, but that was him last year as well.

"His form was top class and he only does what he has to do. We always thought he would be a miler. He's a very special horse."

Moore, winning the race for the first time, added: "He's very straightforward. I think he's probably a miler. I'm looking forward to him for the rest of the year. He's a very exciting horse.

"Aidan's record speaks for itself. He's achieved everything you can."

Gleneagles' co-owner Michael Tabor was hugely complimentary about the winning jockey afterwards, saying: “I just think he really goes through a race very thoroughly and looks at every possible angle, he's a very dedicated person.”

Tabor added: “We always dream but that was a very impressive performance. The excitement of winning a race like this never diminishes. Once you get addicted, that's it.” 

O'Brien is now mapping out a plan for Gleneagles, saying: "Obviously we will think about the Irish 2,000 Guineas and the St James's Palace Stakes route with him. We will look to keep him at a mile."

Ivawood's trainer Richard Hannon said: "The winner is obviously a very good horse, but he (Ivawood) was in front on his side and we'll either go to Ireland or Royal Ascot.

"Kool Kompany will probably go for the Jersey, Estidhkaar didn't run his race for whatever reason and Moheet was very unlucky in places."

Fabre felt the best horse won on the day, but would be keen to take on the winner again at Royal Ascot.

He said: "He was not unlucky - he had a fair race. He has to come from off the pace, but the winner had some distance between us and we could not get that back.

"We were beaten by a better horse. It is the hardest thing to admit that you are beaten by a better horse, but today we do admit it

"One of his targets is the St James's Palace Stakes. We will think about it. He will probably be better in a smaller field and going round a bend.

"Coming from behind off a bend will be easier for him. I expect we will meet again."

The Stewards held an enquiry into possible interference approaching the final furlong and handed Frankie Dettori a three-day ban (May 17-19) for careless riding.

Having heard their evidence and viewed recordings of the race they found that Dettori's mount Moheet had caused interference to Cappella Sansevero by sharply manouevring right at the furlong-pole.