Shell Ginger may be one of six O'Brien winners

TO THE accusation of putting every egg in one basket, this scribbler can only plead guilty but it's quite possible that Aidan O'Brien and Christy Roche could depart Leopardstown this evening leaving behind more than yours truly breathlessly scrambling for new superlatives.

The record breaking new master of Ballydoyle is represented in six of the seven races today and while it flies in the face of racing logic and natural common sense, it's not as crazy as it sounds that he could win them all.

Of course with the first event being a five furlong sprint for mostly unraced two year olds, such a statement could be blown out of the water almost straight away but even there, the O'Brien credentials look the most obvious. So far this season he has sent out two juveniles, both have won and his representative today Marigot Bay is a wellbred Fairy King filly who is reported to be a sharp sort.

O'Brien himself yesterday wasn't ruling out the possibility of a possibly unique six timer. "At most meetings our horses are fancied and I think all our horses have their chances at Leopardstown," he said. No trainer can realistically say more beforehand but even if the numbers game doesn't work out O'Brien's priority will still be his runners with classic potential.

None will be watched more keenly than Shell Ginger in the 1,000 Guineas Trial. Earlier this week during a press open day, O'Brien didn't bother to disguise how highly he rates this Woodman filly who finished last year by running away with a Group 3 here over the course and distance on soft ground.

Beating Lil's Boy by 12 lengths was a remarkable achievement and those who believe she will be inconvenienced by today's fastish - are likely to receive a rude shock.

"I think she might be best on good ground and I am very pleased with how she has done," O'Brien said. The consistent Azra is rated close to Shell Ginger, the only one in the field to hold a Newmarket 1,000 Guineas entry, but if any horse is to threaten Shell Ginger, it could be the Gowran winner Welsh Queen.

The 2,000 Guineas Trial should be much closer. Beautiful Fire is the top rated in the race but Dermot Weld's horses have not struck form yet, Lil's Boy has improved from his seasonal debut defeat of Orange Jasmine at Tipperary and the English challenger Fly To The Stars won by seven lengths at Doncaster last time.

His trainer Mark Johnston said yesterday Doncaster couldn't have gone better but he has to make progress and this will be the real test for him."

On form the same comment also applies to O'Brien's Plaza De Toros. His half length defeat of Akdariya here in October was hardly advertised by the third that day, Dreamworks, being hammered at Tipperary on Thursday but the regard he is held in is equally obvious.

"He has a great attitude and just lobs in behind the leaders. He needs stoking up to get out of that lob and that probably surprised us last year," O'Brien said. If he's shaken up early enough today, Plaza De Toros, for whom the Derby is already being spoken of, should start delivering on his potential.

Strawberry Roan earned herself a glowing reputation as a potential Oaks filly last year and while she is unproven on this ground, she will have to win the Ballysax Stakes if that reputation is to be maintained. Declan Gillespie's Gunfire could be the biggest danger to it.

Royale is a filly that has thrived through the winter and should improve significantly on her length second to Elida at Tipperary last October. If she does, it should be more than enough to win the concluding April Maiden while Best Before Dawn's fitness advantage, after two runs this season already, means he is marginally preferred to the topweight Ailleacht in the Eden Handicap.

If this ideal O'Brien scenario works out, the winner of the Alpine, Handicap may find itself receiving less than its due notice, but those who back Jim Bolger's filly Ciste are unlikely to care. After some good efforts as a two year old, Ciste broke her duck in good style at the Curragh two weeks, ago and looks to be on a winning mark in this mile event.

The suspicion remains however that this could be the day when Bolger's former pupil will have us scrambling for the record books.