Eleven runners have been declared for the Abu Dhabi Irish 2000 Guineas (1 mile) to be run at 3:15 p.m. BST on Saturday, May 26^th.

Only seven trainers are involved, with Aidan O'Brien sending out a team of four, hoping no doubt that one of them would bring him a fourth win in the race in the last five years, his last three winners being Henrythenavigator, Mastercraftsman and Roderic O'Connor. The trainer's son, Joseph, rides Power (by Oasis Dream), who blotted his copybook by a dismal display in the Newmarket equivalent three weeks ago. However, with the conditions having been testing that day, his last run is best ignored and he deserves another chance. Between 5 and 6 to 1 can be had about his chances.

Daddy Long Legs  (by Scat Daddy) ran equally miserably as his stablemate on the same day, except that he was participating several thousand miles away from base and probably did not act on the dirt of Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky. As he had been rather impressive when annexing the UAE Derby in March, he is not without hope. Colm O'Donoghue extends his association with the handsome chestnut, who has been pushed out to 14 to 1.

Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf winner Wrote (by High Chaparral) also ran somewhat below his best as the odds-on choice in the Derrinstown Stud Derby Trial at Leopardstown a fortnight ago. He is being brought back from 10 furlongs to the mile and no doubt his astute trainer has his own reasons for the change int trip. The stable's retained rider Seamus Heffernan will do duty on the 10 to 1 shot.

Last year's Dubai Dewhurst Stakes winner Parish Hall (by Teofilo) heads the betting as the 7 to 2 favourite, even though he has not seen out for the best part of eight months. One can never underestimate his canny schooler, Jim Bolger, who has let it be known that the colt could even run in the Investec Derby just a week later! Bolger's son-in-law Kevin Manning has the mount. Incidentally, Aidan O'Brien learned some of his craft under the tutelage of Bolger.

Another maestro, John Oxx, sends out a pair from his Currabeg Stables. Takar (by Oratorio), who won his seasonal debut in the style of an improving customer, is to be ridden by Johnny Murtagh sporting the Aga Khan's famous silks. His potential may be gauged from the fact that he is at a niggardly 6 to 1 despite never having won a Group race. Also well-known are the colours of the Hong Kong-based Christopher Tsui, who campaigned the great Sea The Stars a few years ago, and that colt's half-brother, Born To Sea (by Invincible Spirit) will have the services of Pat Smullen. The superbly-bred colt, who is quoted at 10 to 1, pulled too hard at Newmarket and should run better if he settles well. Blinkers have been added to his tack for this purpose.

Form in a classic race is usually the most reliable and on that logic Hermival (by Dubawi), who was third in the Newmarket equivalent, must be the logical choice here at 5 to 1. Mikel Delzangles is taking the trouble of sending him over from France and Belgian-born rider Gregory Benoist will probably find conditions at the Curragh more conducive than the wide open expanses of Newmarket. Although only one French-trained runner – Spinning World in 1996 – has triumphed in the Irish 2000, there have not been too many with adequate credentials that have made the journey.

One place behind Hermival on that occasion, a little over a length in arrears, was Trumpet Major (by Arakan), who makes the trip over from Richard Hannon's East Everleigh stables in Marlborough, Wiltshire. As usual, Richard Hughes will be in the saddle on the 7 to 1 hope.

Just over 24 hours later, the Etihad Airways Irish 1000 Guineas (1 mile) sees 14 acceptors, exactly half of which are inmates of Ballydoyle. Last year, O'Brien had taken this prize through Misty For Me, and his best chance of repeating probably lies with Homecoming Queen (by Holy Roman Emperor), coming off a nine lengths romp in the Newmarket equivalent 3 weeks ago. The form has been franked by The Fugue (fourth at Newmarket) and there is little reason to doubt the ability of the evens choice to complete a double.

One presumes that possibly earning the exalted status of "classic placed" is the reason behind O'Brien's running his other fillies, although Maybe (by Galileo) has claims of her own, if she takes part. It's far more likely that the last-named will be headed to Epsom next week.

Serious opposition is expected from Dermot Weld's 4 to 1 Yellow Rosebud (by Jeremy), winner last time out of the Derrinstown Stud 1000 Guineas Trial and from Kevin Prendergast's 7 to 1 La Collina (by Strategic Prince). The lone overseas challenger left in, Samitar (by Rock Of Gibraltar), has been on the downgrade and it will be a surprise if she is sent over from England by her handler, ex-England footballer Mick Channon, and an even greater one should she belie her 20 to 1 odds and land the prize.

Finally, Sunday's card includes the Group 1 Tattersalls Gold Cup (10.5 fur.) for which So You Think (by High Chaparral) is a warm favourite to return to his winning ways. As the New Zealand-bred 6-year-old is headed to the paddocks at Coolmore Australia, in the Hunter Valley of New South Wales, in August he has precious little time to add to his lofty reputation. Should he win here, Royal Ascot or just perhaps the Eclipse Stakes (for which he is entered) could provide his swan song.