All eyes will be on Ger Lyons' unbeaten colt Siskin in the Tattersalls Irish 2,000 Guineas at the Curragh on Friday evening (RTÉ2 & RTÉ Player from 6pm), with his bullish trainer telling RTÉ Sport: "I've got the best horse going in the race, if he's the best horse and no hard luck stories, he'll win it, simple as."

Siskin picked up a Group One prize as a juvenile in the Keeneland Phoenix Stakes over six furlongs of the Curragh, adding to Group Two gains in the Railway Stakes over the same course and distance.

Asked about Siskin's opposition, Lyons batted away speculation on the challenges they would pose, and said: "Not a clue, don't care about them." 

He had been due to run in the Middle Park Stakes at Newmarket in September, but became unruly in the stalls and was withdrawn.

Having given his charge plenty of experience of the starting gates in the interim, Lyons is hoping for an uneventful loading process, but admitted: "I'll always be ansty watching a horse going into the stalls because anything can happen."

His rider Colin Keane told Racing TV: "He's in as good nick as we can have him, so we're looking forward to it. I think he's done very well through the winter and I think the delay to racing has actually stood to him.

"We're very hopeful and happy with his draw."

Speaking last week, owner Khalid Abdullah's racing manager Teddy Grimthorpe offered a similar view to Keane, saying: "He has progressed well and though he will never be a big horse, he has furnished nicely and Ger is very pleased with him. Hopefully he will get the trip."

Grimthorpe is confident that whatever upset Siskin at Newmarket will not happen again.

Grimthorpe added: "Nothing has come to light as to why he did what he did in the stalls at Newmarket. I think you would have to ask the horse that.

"He has been through the stalls plenty of times since without a bother, so he should be fine in them next time."

Aidan O'Brien already has one Classic to his name this season through Love in the Qipco 1000 Guineas, and he fields six in opposition to Siskin as he looks to land the Curragh showpiece for the 12th time.

Armory, Fort Myers, Lope Y Fernandez, Monarch Of Egypt, Royal Lytham and Vatican City represent the Ballydoyle trainer.

Assessing some of his runners, O'Brien said: "New World Tapestry ran a nice race in the Vertem Futurity Trophy. Royal Lytham won a Group Two, he never went further than six but we always thought he would stay further.

"We're not convinced how far Monarch Of Egypt will stay. An option would have been to go to the Jersey without a run, but then you're probably going to find it hard to find out if he is going to get a mile or not.

"We'll learn a lot with these horses when they start. Everybody learns together really what they are. We don't expose them too much at home if we can."

Michael Halford is hopeful of a big run from Sinawann, whose final outing as two-year-old saw him finish second to leading Derby contender Mogul at Leopardstown on Irish Champions Weekend.

Halford said "The horse is in good form and has trained really well so we're happy with him.

"Obviously Siskin looks the obvious one, he's a very justifiable favourite, and then you've always got Aidan.

"Our fellow has shown a good level of form as a two-year-old and we felt he was entitled to take his chance.

"The Curragh is a stiff track and you'd need to get every yard. It's usually a strong gallop and that will certainly play into our hands."

Jim Bolger runs the once-raced Fiscal Rules, whose only outing last year was a head second to Qipco 2000 Guineas runner-up Wichita at the Curragh in August.

Andrew Slattery's Rebel Tale, second to Armory in the Futurity Stakes and two places behind Sinawann at Leopardstown, completes the line-up.

Presenter Hugh Cahill will be joined from the Curragh on Friday and Saturday by Jane Mangan and Ruby Walsh, alongside Brian Gleeson with Richard Pugh on commentary.

Following on from the Guineas weekend, RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player will have live racing every Friday, Saturday and Sunday evening until 13 July.

These brand new one-hour shows will feature live action and reaction from across the country, with expert analysis from Jane, Ruby, Brian and other special guests.

All of RTÉ Sport's racing coverage will comply fully with Horse Racing Ireland's Covid-19 protocols around social distancing for behind-closed-doors meetings.

RTÉ Racing in June on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player

Friday 12 June - The Curragh

Saturday 13 June - The Curragh

Friday 19 June - Gowran Park

Saturday 20 June - Naas

Sunday 21 June - Leopardstown

Friday 26 June - The Curragh

Saturday 27 June - The Curragh (The Irish Derby)

Sunday 28 June - The Curragh

Watch live coverage of the Tattersalls Irish Guineas Festival at the Curragh on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player on Friday and Saturday from 6-8pm.