Del lined up for Irish Guineas

Brian Meehan’s Delegator is among 17 possibles for Saturday’s Boylesports.com Irish 2000 Guineas at the Curragh following the confirmation stage.

A hugely impressive display in the Craven Stakes ensured he was sent off favourite for the 2000 Guineas at Newmarket earlier in the month, but he had to make do with the runner-up spot behind Sea The Stars.

“Delegator seems to have taken the Guineas very well,” Meehan told his website, www.brianmeehanatmanton.com.

“We had originally considered giving the Curragh a miss and heading for Royal Ascot, but he did his final piece of work this morning and went very well under Sean Mulvey, his regular work rider, who was very pleased with him.

“We shall have to monitor the ground, but it looks as though it will be easier than the surface at Newmarket and that should suit him.”

Aidan O’Brien’s Newmarket fifth Mastercraftsman looks likely to put up most resistence.

The Ballydoyle handler has also left in Coat Of Arms, Drumbeat, Hail Caesar, Malibu Bay, Viceroy Of India and Westphalia.

Jim Bolger has left in Fergus McIver and Intense Focus – but the trainer has warned the latter will miss the race if the ground is soft.

The John Oxx-trained Rayeni and Richard Hannon’s Soul City are other interesting contenders.