Dubai: Godolphin’s French-trained raider Territories had to bow to the exceptional brilliance of Ireland’s Gleneagles in the English 2,000 Guineas (G1), the first Classic of the 2015 British flat racing season at Newmarket on Saturday.

Ridden by Dubai World Cup (G1) and Epsom Derby (G1) winning jockey Mickael Barzalona, Territories came with a late run inside the final quarter of the 1,600m contest, but could not match the winner for pace, and finished a 2 1/4 length runner-up.

Richard Hannon’s Ivawood, a dual Group winner last season, was 3/4 lengths back in third and 50/1 outsider Bossy Gent, ridden by the promising youngster Charles Bishop, was a 1/2 length further back in fourth.

Estidhkaar and Intilaaq, both racing in the colours of Shaikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai and Minister of Finance, finish 14th and 15th in the 18-runner contest held on Good to Firm ground at the historic Rowley Mile course.

The winner was securing a seventh victory in the Classic for Irish handler Aidan O’Brien, who is fast establishing himself as one of the great modern trainers.

“He’s a proper miler, he’s very straight” said Ryan Moore, who was winning his maiden 2,000 Guineas, told Channel 4 Racing.

“He handled it beautifully. I’m looking forward to him for the rest of the year. He’s a very exciting horse.

“Aidan’s record speaks for itself. He’s achieved everything you can.”

In typical stoic fashion, O’Brien paid tribute to Gleneagles, a son of the great Coolmore stallion Galileo, who is universally recognised as the best sire in the world.

“His form was top class and he only does what he has to do,” he said from behind his trademark dark sunglasses. “We always thought he would be a miler.

“He was always a good traveller. When he gets there he doesn’t do much, but that was him last year as well.”

British bookmakers took note of Gleneagles’ performance and cut his odds for the June 7 Derby to 10/1 behind the favourite Jack Hobbs (8/1), the unbeaten son of Dalham Hall stallion Halling.

However, O’Brien wouldn’t commit to taking him to Epsom.

“Obviously we will think about the Irish 2,000 Guineas and the St James’s Palace Stakes route with him,” he said. “We will look to keep him at a mile.”

Ivawood’s trainer Richard Hannon said: “The winner is obviously a very good horse, but he (Ivawood) was in front on his side and we’ll either go to Ireland or Royal Ascot.

Speaking of his other runners the champion handler added: “Kool Kompany will probably go for the Jersey, Estidhkaar didn’t run his race for whatever reason and Moheet was very unlucky in places.”