RACING:AIDAN O'BRIEN is responsible for seven of the 15 confirmations as he searches for an eighth victory in the Abu Dhabi Irish 2,000 Guineas at the Curragh on Saturday.
The Ballydoyle trainer has collected the one-mile Classic with the likes of Rock Of Gibraltar (2002), Henrythenavigator (2008) and last year with Roderic O’Connor. But with Newmarket 2,000 Guineas winner Camelot bound for next month’s Investec Derby at Epsom, O’Brien does not appear to have a stand-out Guineas contender.
Nephrite needs to bounce back after suffering an odds-on reverse on his seasonal reappearance, while Power was a Group One-winning two-year-old but never threatened behind Camelot at Newmarket.
Crusade, Daddy Long Legs, Reply, Vault and beaten Derrinstown Derby Trial favourite Wrote complete the O’Brien team.
Newmarket third Hermival is an interesting entry for French trainer Mikel Delzangles, while the fourth home, Trumpet Major, is a major contender for British champion trainer Richard Hannon. Dewhurst Stakes winner Parish Hall is on course to make his seasonal reappearance.
John Oxx could saddle Newmarket disappointment Born To Sea and impressive recent course winner Takar.
Cork scorer Speaking Of Which could be thrown in at the deep end by trainer Dermot Weld. Alkazim and Foxtrot Romeo complete the list of possible runners.
Stable companions Thousand Stars and Zaidpour will renew rivalries in the French Champion Hurdle next month after occupying the first two places in Sunday’s Prix La Barka at Auteuil.
Thousand Stars had filled the runner-up spot in the Grade Two contest 12 months ago before going on to land the Grande Course De Haies D’Auteuil, and is now set to defend his crown after going one place better in the recognised trial under Paul Townend.
Zaidpour, who chased home another esteemed stablemate in Hurricane Fly in the Rabobank Champion Hurdle at the Punchestown Festival, ran a fine race to take the runner-up spot in the hands of Ruby Walsh.
Trainer Willie Mullins said: “He [Thousand Stars] is some star all right! It was another very good performance from him and the plan is definitely to go back to France with him next month.
“I thought Zaidpour ran a very good trial and I would expect plenty of improvement from him for his next run. He’ll be going back to France as well.”
Walsh will now have to decide which horse to ride when the pair lock horns again in France. Mullins said: “I’d imagine he will have a difficult decision to make. Let’s just hope both horses stay fit and well.”
A tilt at the Noblesse Stakes at Cork is next on the agenda for Unaccompanied following her excellent run in defeat in the Vintage Crop Stakes at Navan.
Dermot Weld’s dual Grade One-winning hurdler had made a triumphant return to the Flat at Navan in April and stepped up in class to tackle last year’s Gold Cup winner Fame And Glory on Sunday. Although Unaccompanied came up short, she was far from disgraced in finishing a close-up second.
