The 1,000 Guineas is obviously the feature race at the Curragh tomorrow but it looks set to be overshadowed by a vintage renewal of the Tattersalls Gold Cup.
The 10-furlong contest has attracted three genuine top level performers and throws up an intriguing rematch between Luxembourg and Vadeni.
Aidan O’Brien’s charge really fulfilled his potential with a terrific effort in the Irish Champion Stakes at Leopardstown last season, during an injury-hit campaign.
He won a pulsating battle with Onesto that day but in behind the pair Vadeni looked a bit of an unlucky loser after meeting traffic problems.
Unfortunately injury struck again with Luxembourg in the Arc subsequently, but Vadeni was a gallant second to Alpinista.
Added into the mix now is the admirable Bay Bridge, who hit the big time last season with victory in the Champion Stakes at Ascot.
This looks a vintage renewal of the race and Luxembourg is fancied to shine again on the big stage.
He can leave his comeback run in the Mooresbridge well behind. The son of Camelot looked a bit rusty then and his chances were ended when he got hampered over a furlong from home.
O’Brien is the absolute master of producing his horses for the big day and he will be a different proposition for this.
Bay Bridge and Vadeni both ran in the Prix Ganay on their comeback runs this season with the former finishing a place ahead of his rival when third to Iresine.
That was on very soft ground and Christophe Soumillon wasn’t hard on Vadeni when his chance had gone.
He may be able to turn the tables on Bay Bridge on this better ground with the Michael Stoute-trained entire perhaps a bit more at home with a cut in the ground.
In the fillies’ Classic, it looks hard to oppose Tahiyra.
She went down fighting in the 1,000 Guineas at Newmarket on her return to action when losing out by a half-length to a race-fit rival in Mawj.
The pair pulled well clear of the field that day and Tahiyra is entitled to come forward from the run. Dermot Weld’s horses have really hit form in recent weeks with a lot of his improving for an outing.
Tahiyra was brilliant when beating Meditate in the Moyglare Stud Stakes last year and the Aga Khan-owned filly looks right out of the top drawer.
Meditate, who was sixth at Newmarket, is probably better than that run and nicer ground now could make a difference.
Even so, it’s hard to see her turning the tables on Tahiyra giving the ease with which she was dismissed by her last year.
It’s a great card with four stakes races and Insinuendo sets a good standard in the Group Two Lanwades Stud Stakes.
Willie McCreery’s charge is versatile ground-wise and might be a bit more at home on this sounder surface than a few of her rivals that have been winning in softer.
She had some cracking form last season, giving Luxembourg a scare as well as finishing third in Group One company at Ascot, and sets a high standard back against her own sex.
In the Group Three Gallinule Stakes, Drumroll can step forward, going up in trip.
The Deep Impact colt wasn’t disgraced when chasing home stablemate Paddington over a mile here last time and the full-brother to Saxon Warrior looks like he can improve over ten furlongs.
Selections
1.45 Matrika - Grand Job
2.15 Wave Machine - Craft Irish
2.45 Luxembourg (Nap) - Vadeni
3.15 Insinuendo (Dbl) - Jumbly
3.50 Tahiyra - Meditate
4.25 Drumroll - Mister Mister
4.55 High Chieftess - Star Galaxy
5.25 Star Kissed - Newfoundland
