<notforsyndication>Watch live coverage of the Abu Dhabi Irish 2,000 Guineas on RTÉ Two and RTÉ.ie (Island of Ireland) from 2.30pm on Saturday, 22 May. </notforsyndication>
Canford Cliffs and Xtension, third and fourth respectively behind Makfi in the Newmarket 2,000 Guneas, are set to do battle again in the Abu Dhabi Irish 2,000 Guineas at the Curragh on Saturday.
The pair, who were only separated by a length on that occasion and had Fencing Master (seventh) and Viscount Nelson (11th) in arrears, top the list of 20 entries for the first home Classic of the season.
Apart from Viscount Nelson and Fencing Master, Aidan O’Brien has also entered Air Chief Marshall, Dynasty, Encompassing, Fighting Brave, Jan Vermeer, Purple Heart and Steinbeck.
Trainer Peter Chapple-Hyam is two handed with Morana and Zaahy, while Jim Bolger can choose between Carraiglawn, Free Judgement and Shintoh.
Tommy Stack, who has a blistering start to the Flat season has entered Nol Wollop. The latter was most impressive when beating Viscount Nelson and Famous Warrior in the Leopardstown 2,000 Guineas Trial Stakes back in March and is held in high regard by his connections. Another highly regarded colt is Keredari who is the sole entrant from the John Oxx stable.
Air Chief Marshall also appears among the 17 entries for the Group 3 Weatherbys Ireland Greenlands Stakes in which race his trainer Aidan O’Brien has also represented by Alfred Nobel.
The race has attracted a strong overseas challenge with Jimmy Styles, Hitchens, Markab, Regal Parade and Wi Dud all intended runners. Duff, Rain Delayed, Snaefell and supplementary entry Kitty Kiernan are other very interesting entries for the six furlong contest.
Annabelle’s Charm, Shamwan Lodge and Super Sleuth are the three overseas challengers among the 10 entries for the Group 3 TRI Equestrian Stakes. The home team is headed by course winner Pollen, Enchanted Evening, Choose Me and Latin Love.
The Listed T P Waters EBF Marble Hill Stakes looks a very strong race on paper with seven of the eight declared juveniles having already won this season. Aidan O’Brien holds a strong hand here with Samuel Morse and So Stylish, who both made winning debuts for the Ballydoyle yard.
The ground at the Curragh is currently good to firm on the round course and good on the straight course.
