RACING/Curragh Saturday Report: Rock Of Gibraltar sauntered into the history books on Saturday, becoming just the fifth colt to complete the English-Irish 2,000 Guineas double.

Rarely has the Curragh seen an easier Classic success. The Alex Ferguson-owned colt sliced through the field under Mick Kinane to beat Century City by a length and a half with another stable companion, Della Francesaca, in third.

It was the second year in a row for Aidan O'Brien to fill the first three places in the 2,000 Guineas and the first time any trainer has won the 2,000 Guineas race in the major European powers of England, Ireland and France.

However, unlike last year's 20 to 1 shock from Black Minnaloushe, Rock Of Gibraltar did all that an odds-on favourite should and threw in a touch of elan that had Ferguson briefly thinking of the Epsom Derby.

However, O'Brien quickly knocked that on the head and nominated Royal Ascot's St James's Palace Stakes over a mile as Rock Of Gibraltar's next start.

"It's unusual for a horse with as much speed as he has to get a mile so well. It certainly wouldn't be a problem for him if we decide to drop him down in distance later in the year," the trainer said.

It was a fourth Irish 2,000 Guineas triumph for O'Brien and a third for Kinane who reported: "He was mad for it today and was very keen to get on with things. But he has serious gears and when he got the gap he went and did it very easily."

O'Brien and Kinane also picked up the Marble Hill Stakes with the Royal Ascot hope Marino Marini and the Royal Festival is also the target for the Greenlands Stakes winner Tiger Royal.

"The Kings Stand looks the obvious target. He is also in the Ballyogan Sytakes but he deserves to take his chance at Ascot after that," said local trainer Dermot Weld.