Racing: Confuchias heads into Saturday's Leopardstown 2000 Guineas Trial with the full backing of handler Frank Ennis, who reckons he has never trained a more capable horse.
A meeting with Aidan O'Brien's pair Admiralofthefleet and Yellowstone beckons in the Group Three heat.
But Confuchias has done little wrong himself, winning two of his three starts — the latest being the Killavullan Stakes at the track last October.
"I like him a lot — he's a very nice horse and is pretty forward," said Curragh-based Ennis.
"He's the best I've had, certainly the classiest and is entitled to be there. He's in the Irish 2000 Guineas after this, so we'll see how he gets on."
Things will not be easy for Confuchias, with Admiralofthefleet returning for the season having landed last year's Royal Lodge Stakes.
Meanwhile, John Oxx saddles Alarazi, an impressive winner at the Curragh on his debut and a half-brother to the yard's 2005 scorer Alayan.
Dermot Weld has won this race twice in recent years with Grey Swallow and Refuse To Bend, who went on to take the 2000 Guineas at Newmarket.
Weld provides two interesting runners this time around in Blackberry Boy and Consul General.
Kevin Prendergast looks to have a nice crop of three-year-olds on his hands and relies on Boylesports 2000 Guineas entry Regional Counsel.
After winning the Anglesey Stakes he finished fifth behind Teofilo in the Futurity Stakes at the Curragh last August.
"He ran well at two. He won the Anglesey and he's done well over the winter," said Prendergast. "He'll probably need the run but he should run a good race.
"The horses have been running pretty well so far this season without quite winning. We've had a few beaten a short head so they are not too far away.
"It's good to firm and they are putting water on it, would you believe - only a week ago it was bottomless.
"He's got an entry for the 2000 Guineas itself and if he can't run a good race tomorrow there is no point going for the real thing.
"I think a mile or nine furlongs will be his trip - he's by Medicean out of a Danehill mare."