Mustajeeb set to carry Weld hopes
Both colts are owned by Hamdan Al Maktoum, but Mustajeeb has arguably achieved more, having beaten a solid yardstick in the older Brendan Brackan in the Amethyst Stakes at Leopardstown.
“Both horses are working well, but only one of them will run,” said the in-form Weld. “At the moment we are leaning towards Mustajeeb and Pat Smullen will partner whichever one we eventually side with.”
Aidan O’Brien has five possibles but there is no denying which is his number one hope, despite his disappointing effort in the English equivalent.
“War Command is our horse in Saturday’s race,” said the Ballydoyle-based trainer.
“We will also run Fountain Of Youth, Michaelmas and Great White Eagle, while Johann Strauss is also under consideration.
“All five are working very well.”
Richard Hannon expects the stiff nature of the Curragh to bring out the best in Shifting Power, who was supplemented.
The colt defied his 50-1 price in the market to finish fourth, beaten only three lengths by stablemate Night Of Thunder in the first Classic of the season at Newmarket.
While Night Of Thunder heads for the St James’s Palace at Royal Ascot, Shifting Power will meet Guineas second Kingman again on Saturday.
But Hannon hopes more emphasis on stamina in Ireland can help his Free Handicap winner repay connections’ faith.
“He ran very well in the English Guineas to finish fourth and was running on,” Hannon told At The Races.
“I think the track will suit him at the Curragh. It doesn’t suit us too much that Kingman’s going, but there you go.
“He has to go, we can go up to a mile and a quarter later on but I think he’s well worth his chance and if he finishes in the (first) three, we get our money back. I think the track will really suit him.”
Shifting Power’s addition means there are 16 possibles for the race.
John Gosden’s Kingman remains in the mix but he is the only other challenger from Britain.
Ger Lyons has left in Obliterator but has warned he was an unlikely runner unless there was good in the going.
Prince Of All, Mandatario and Big Time are others to note.
John Oxx is keeping his fingers crossed conditions at the Curragh do not deteriorate to allow My Titania line up in Sunday’s Etihad Airways Irish 1,000 Guineas.
The daughter of Sea The Stars won twice from three appearances as a juvenile, but was ruled out of the 1000 Guineas at Newmarket with a dirty scope just days before the race.
Oxx has nursed his three-year-old back to health, but insists she will only run if the ground is not too soft.
Dermot Weld has confirmed the Khalid Abdullah-owned duo of Tested and Vote Often are on course for the fillies’ Classic.
Clive Brittain believes last year’s Moyglare Stud Stakes heroine Rizeena will be suited by a return to the Curragh, having disappointed in the Guineas at Newmarket.
“She won in Ireland and she ran a cracking good race at Deauville. The only place she hasn’t run at her peak is Newmarket.
“She ran a cracking race on debut at Newmarket, then broke her maiden at Ascot no problem. (She) went to Sandown against the boys over a stiff five, no problem, back to Ascot to win the Queen Mary, no problem.
“But when she went back to Newmarket, whether Rowley Mile or July Course, she hasn’t produced that spark so we’re just putting it down to that.
“The filly is primed and ready to go. She’s one work away from her racing weight, give or take a couple of kilos for travelling, so I’m going back to Ireland with as much confidence as I went for the Moyglare.”
Lightning Thunder, runner-up in the Newmarket Guineas, Al Thakhira and Evita Peron are the other possibles from England.
Aidan O’Brien can choose from Palace, Marvellous and Wonderfully.
Avenue Gabriel, Ballybacka Queen, Heart Focus and Queen Of Power make up the 14 confirmations.
