Rebel heads 20 Curragh hopefuls
The pair finished first and second respectively in the English Classic at Newmarket and are set to renew rivalry in what promises to be another fascinating contest at the Curragh.
Peter Chapple-Hyam has taken out Dutch Art, third in the English 2000 Guineas, but Aidan O’Brien could be represented by Duke Of Marmalade and Eagle Mountain.
Those two were fourth and fifth at Headquarters and could be joined by stablemates Excellent Art, Japura, Spanish Harlem, Trinity College and Derrinstown Stud Derby Trial winner Archipenko.
Jim Bolger’s Creachadoir, second in the French 2000 Guineas, could have his sixth start of the campaign, while the highly-regarded Haatef further strengthens the home defence.
Besides Cockney Rebel and Vital Equine, Stan Moore’s Traffic Guard is the only English-trained raider remaining engaged.
Confuchias, Ferneley, Fleeting Shadow, Followmyfootsteps, He’s A Decoy, Kingsdale Orion, Rabatash and Satu complete the list of possibles.
Meanwhile Dandy Man will bypass Saturday’s Weatherbys Ireland Greenland Stakes in favour of a crack at the Betfair Temple Stakes at Sandown on May 31.
The Tracey Collins trained speedster returned to action as a four-year-old with a most impressive four-and-a-half-length success at Naas last month.
Connections have been pleased with his progress since and are looking forward to targeting some of the major sprinting prizes this summer.
“He’s fine and there’s not a bother on him, but we’ve decided to go to Sandown with him,” explained Collins.
“Things have gone well with him and the horse is very well.
“He’s done very well and we’re very happy with him so we’re quite happy to go to Sandown with him next.”
Dandy Man has not raced over six furlongs since his juvenile days but Collins has not ruled out a crack at the trip at Ascot in mid-June.
“He’s been entered over the six furlongs at Royal Ascot as well as in the five-furlong race,” she continued.
“He’s in the Golden Jubilee as well as the King’s Stand and he holds the double entry so we can keep our options open.”
