O’Brien excited by QIPCO 2000 Guineas contender Gleneagles

Gleneagles proves too strong in the Futurity Stakes. Image courtesy of racingfotos.com.

Top Series rider Joseph O’Brien believes QIPCO 2000 Guineas ante post favourite Gleneagles has what it takes to win the Newmarket British Classic on Saturday 2 May.

O’Brien, who won the Series contest in 2012 on board Camelot, was an impressive juvenile performer on the track last season, winning the Group 2 Futurity Stakes and Group 1 Vincent O’Brien National Stakes.

Gleneagles has been compared favourably to former Ballydoyle star Giant’s Causeway by the son of leading trainer Aidan O’Brien and he is of the opinion that the three-year-old will be hard to beat on the Rowley Mile in May.

Joseph told the Racing Post: “Gleneagles is closely related to Giant’s Causeway and he would remind you of him in an awful lot of ways. I’m really excited about him.

"He looked possibly the best two-year-old around last year. I certainly think he is the best two-year-old I saw last year.

“Anything that puts it up to Gleneagles in the Guineas will really be an exceptional horse. I don’t even think you’d need a good gallop either. He has lots of pace, relaxes and can handle anything pace-wise.”

You can buy tickets now to the Series opener via Newmarket’s website.