ITV relishing chance to broadcast Irish 2,000 Guineas on a Friday night feast

The opening Classic of the Irish Flat season is set to have significant terrestrial exposure in both Ireland and Britain with ITV Racing broadcasting the Tattersalls Irish 2,000 Guineas on Friday night.

Coverage of the clash between Ger Lyons' Siskin and the Aidan O'Brien-trained Armory has also been boosted on Irish shores, with RTE beginning their increased programming of Irish racing at the Curragh on Friday.

ITV Racing presenter Francesca Cumani believes the increased broadcasts offer an excellent opportunity for the sport to broaden its new audience following impressive viewing figures for last weekend's home-based broadcasts, which drew as many as one and a half million people for the Qipco 2,000 Guineas.

Friday's coverage on ITV4, which includes five races from the Curragh and four from Newbury, runs from 4.30pm-7pm, while Irish terrestrial coverage on RTE2 begins at 6pm and ends at 8pm.

Cumani said: "This weekend we're so lucky to be taking in the Irish 2,000 Guineas on Friday night and all credit to Horse Racing Ireland for working in conjunction with ITV to find a good time to show it that they were happy with.

"We're preparing ourselves for eight racedays over nine days [including Royal Ascot], so it's going to be hectic with a lot of form study."

The presenter, who will also host a virtual Royal Ascot preview night in aid of Racing Welfare on Wednesday evening, added: "We've got lots of races this weekend that were rescheduled, which is great for horsemen and owners, as well as us on ITV and horseracing in general.

"It's a time when the spotlight is on racing and, as the viewing figures from last weekend showed, hopefully this is a really good time to reach new audiences. Hopefully they'll stick with us when the other sports start up again as well."

Declarations were made on Wednesday morning for the first Tattersalls-backed Classic, which this year is worth 37.5 per cent less than originally intended (cut from €400,000 to €250,000).

As expected, Siskin held his ground while O'Brien has given the green light to Armory, Fort Myers, Lope Y Fernandez, Monarch Of Egypt, Royal Lytham and Vatican City.

Jessica Harrington is solely represented by Free Solo while Michael Halford has declared Sinawann and Andy Slattery will be rolling the dice with outsider Rebel Tale.

Armory: current second favourite for the Tattersalls Irish 2,000 Guineas behind SiskinCredit: Patrick McCann

Jim Bolger, who has never won the Irish 2,000 Guineas, will be hoping to break his duck in the race with Fiscal Rules, who was beaten just a head by Wichita on his sole start in a Curragh maiden last August.

"He's done very well over the winter and is ready to go," said the Coolcullen-based trainer on Tuesday. "His form is good and he's pleasing me in what he's doing at home."

Fiscal Rules (left) was just edged out by Wichita in a Curragh maiden last AugustCredit: Patrick McCann

Should the promising son of Make Believe deliver a first Irish 2,000 success for Bolger, the 78-year-old training legend will not be in attendance due to protocols prohibiting anyone over 70 from entering fixtures behind closed doors.

"It's fine and I don't have a problem with it really, although I'd obviously like to be going racing," he said.

As many as 20 fillies have stood their ground for the Tattersalls Irish 1,000 Guineas, which takes place at 7.15 on Saturday, with general 7-4 favourite Albigna and leading Ballydoyle contender Peaceful still in contention.

Click here to view the card and bet on the Irish 2,000 Guineas

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