An excited Richard Hannon said Rosallion “traveled like a genius” in a workout last weekend ahead of a crack at the Irish Two Thousand Guineas (G1) at the Curragh May 25, when his English Two Thousand Guineas (G1) runner-up could face a strong Ballydoyle battalion, which could even include Poule d’Essai des Poulains (G1) beaten favorite Henry Longfellow .
The French Two Thousand Guineas proved a tale of woe for Henry Longfellow, who was never close enough to land a proper blow at Longchamp. His name featured among a list of 11 for the first Irish Classic of the season at the May 21 five-day forfeit stage, so a quick return is not out of the question, although trainer Aidan O’Brien admitted the race is plan B for the son of Dubawi .
O’Brien is seeking a record-extending 13th victory in Saturday’s mile showpiece, but the presence of Rosallion, who has been installed as the 10-11 favorite with Ladbrokes, means he has his work cut out.
Sean Levey retains the ride on Rosallion, while Jamie Spencer has been called to ride Newmarket third Haatem in place of James Doyle.
“Rosallion is in great form,” Hannon said. “I’m really happy with both of them, they did a piece of work on Sunday morning and Rosallion traveled like a genius, and Haatem did what he normally does. He’s very relaxed and just shows his well-being.”
The presence of Henry Longfellow among the list of 11 was a surprise. O’Brien said he remains an unlikely runner, although a wet forecast later in the week could change that.
O’Brien said of his Curragh team: “Nothing is written in stone and you never know what will happen with the way the forecast is. The plan is for Unquestionable, River Tiber, and Mountain Bear to run. That’s the way we’re thinking, but there is a lot of rain forecast, so that could change.
“There is a chance Henry Longfellow could come out again, but it’s not plan A. Plan A is to go straight to the St James’s Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot.”
O’Brien issued a big note of caution about Unquestionable , who won the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf (G1) at Santa Anita Park Nov. 3.
“Unquestionable had a setback about four weeks ago and because of that he’s going to need the run badly in the Guineas, so he will improve a lot for it, but we feel we need to get a run into him for him to go to Ascot. You would imagine he is going to improve a lot after this run.”
Irish One Thousand Guineas
The Kentucky-bred Justify filly Opera Singer is one of 15 fillies in the running for Sunday’s Irish One Thousand Guineas (G1). The five-length winner of last October’s Prix Marcel Boussac (G1) and Europe’s 2023 champion 2-year-old filly is one of four O’Brien entries, along with Buttons , Everlasting , and Pearls And Rubies .
The Karl Burke-trained Fallen Angel , who disappointed in the One Thousand Guineas (G1) at Newmarket, is one of two British-trained fillies in line to run, along with Skellet for Ralph Beckett.
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