All eyes on the Curragh Classic action - plus the latest Derby news

The 2021 Flat season is well under way and it's full steam ahead to the first of the Irish Classics this weekend – the Tattersalls Irish 2,000 Guineas and Tattersalls Irish 1,000 Guineas – and next month's Epsom Classics, the Cazoo Derby and Cazoo Oaks.

Market movers come thick and fast as the key Classic trials are run in Britain and Ireland, but big-race contenders can come from anywhere and it's easy to miss a potential dark horse. Classic Clues, our daily series running every morning, has you covered.

Here's a recap of Friday's action and how it has impacted the Classic betting, while we mark your card with key names to note today.

Friday reaction: Eagle soars at Goodwood

Lone Eagle looked a relentless galloper when making all in the Listed Cocked Hat Stakes at Goodwood on Friday, with Paddy Power cutting his Derby odds to 33-1 (from 50).

The colt finished fourth in Sandown's Classic Trial last month, but bounced back to winning ways under Silvestre de Sousa.

His participation at Epsom is not certain, though, with trainer Martyn Meade saying the Derby and Irish Derby are under consideration, with the St Leger a likely main aim.

Derby under consideration after Lone Eagle swoops to impressive victory

The Height Of Fashion Stakes did not provide any Oaks clues as Ribblesdale entry Ad Infinitum struck for David Simcock, but she did boost the form of another potential Derby runner for Meade in Gloucestershire, having finished fourth behind him in a Kempton maiden in December.

Adam Kirby was on Friday confirmed as John Leeper's jockey for next month's Derby and his mount is a best price 8-1 with bet365 and Betfred after victory in the Fairway Stakes at Newmarket last weekend.

Market movers

Cazoo Derby
Lone Eagle 33-1 (from 50), Paddy Power

Cazoo Oaks
Noon Star 8-1 (from 10), Betway

Key quotes

Martyn Meade, trainer of Lone Eagle
Lone Eagle didn’t seem to be himself at Sandown so we had a bit of trepidation coming here, but he really did it well. He’s a relentless galloper and has all the attributes. The Epsom and Irish Derby are possibilities and our end game might be the St Leger. He’s such a good horse that he has to be minded.

Adam Kirby, confirmed rider of Derby contender John Leeper
I rode Snow Fairy as a two-year-old and she turned out a champion, so let's hope John Leeper can go the same way. He's got plenty of size and scope about him and has a lovely attitude. He also has a lovely action, so I can't see why he won't handle the track, and it's a great ride to have. I've only had one ride in the Derby before, which was for Saeed bin Suroor, and he ran a respectable race but hopefully this one will knock at the door.

Saturday action: Classic Curragh action

The Tattersalls Irish 2,000 Guineas (3.20) takes centre stage on Saturday and the Curragh Classic features two Cazoo Derby entries in Van Gogh and Mac Swiney.

Van Gogh, trained by Aidan O'Brien, is a general 14-1 chance for the Derby and will have to step up on his comeback eighth in the 2,000 Guineas at Newmarket.

The Jim Bolger-trained Mac Swiney is a 20-1 shot in the ante-post Derby market and finished fourth behind Derby favourite Bolshoi Ballet in a trial at Leopardstown earlier this month.

His stablemate and Guineas hero Poetic Flare, Lucky Vega and Wembley are other leading contenders in the feature contest.

There is not much else to be gleaned on the Classic front elsewhere, although there might be a pointer to Royal Ascot at Goodwood, where Ribblesdale entry Chiasma (4.35) is a hot favourite for the 1m2f fillies' novice.

Read a selection of Saturday previews . . .

3.20 Curragh: get the thoughts of Aidan O'Brien before Saturday's Irish 2,000 Guineas

2.45 Curragh: Glen Shiel bids to defy testing conditions in big sprint

3.35 Haydock: Graeme Rodway believes Sandy Lane favourite could be something special

4.10 Haydock: trainer record gives Liberty Beach and Keep Busy strong claims in Temple

For all our exclusive free bet offers and must-have daily promotions click the free bets button or go to racingpost.com/freebets