Indian too hot for Classic rivals

Indian Haven gave Newmarket trainer Paul d’Arcy a first Classic success with victory in the Entenmann’s Irish 2000 Guineas at the Curragh today.

The 8-1 chance was supplemented into the race earlier this week at a cost of 40,000 euros and completely justified the fee as he quickened up a furlong from home before staying on too strongly for the Aidan O’Brien-trained France.

Fellow British raider Tout Seul, trained by Fulke Johnson Houghton, was third.

Indian Haven had met with plenty of trouble in running when only 14th in the Sagitta 2000 Guineas, but was always travelling strongly today for John Egan as they tracked the early pace set by Great Pyramid and Saturn.

His turn of foot on the testing going was decisive and France (14-1) never really looked like reeling him in in the closing stages and was a length in arrears at the finish.

O’Brien’s Tomahawk was sent off the 100-30 favourite but was unable to get in a blow and neither was Zafeen, who had run such a fine race when runner-up at Newmarket.

Tout Seul, fourth on the Rowley Mile, again ran his usual honest race but was unable to match the finishing burst of the front two.

The result proved a perfect 35th birthday present for Egan, who said: “He definitely would have won the English Guineas but I got knocked over four times and virtually pulled him up.

“I was delighted when I saw the draw (stall three). I honestly thought we would win today.

“The only Classic I have won before was in India and it has always been a dream to win one here.

“I did not want to get there too soon but when I asked him to quicken he picked up just as well as I knew he would.”

Former journeyman Flat jockey D’Arcy said: “We had a terrible run at Newmarket but he’s always been a horse with a terrific turn of foot and he proved it up the hill today.”