Aidan O'Brien holds all the aces in big races at the Curragh

Aidan O'Brien is looking forward to running Harpocrates, who forms part of a three-pronged attack for the trainer in the Marble Hill Stakes (5.25).

The juvenile, like Tattersalls Irish 2,000 Guineas hope Magna Grecia, is a son of Invincible Spirit, and will bisto maintain his trainer's excellent record in the Listed contest.

Since Fasliyev provided the champion trainer with his first success in 1999, ten more victories have followed, including with subsequent Irish 2,000 Guineas winner Power in 2011 and the top-class Caravaggio in 2016.

Along with Harpocrates the Ballydoyle challenge is completed by King Neptune and newcomer Southern Hills.

Speaking about his trio, O’Brien said: "Harpocrates is in good form. He was a bit green the first day but we think he has improved since then. King Neptune has been in good form since his last run and is stepping up in trip, while Southern Hills is a nice horse who's just ready to start. We think he'll come forward a lot for the race.”

Caravaggio: won the Marble Hill Stakes in 2016Credit: Patrick McCann

The Ger Lyons-trained Siskin will bid to confirm superiority over Harpocrates, whom he had over two lengths behind him when winning on debut at Naas 13 days ago.

The five-runner field is completed by Back To Brussels, the only filly in the line-up, and her trainer Fozzy Stack said: "It's obviously tough for a filly taking on the colts but she's in good order and hopefully she can finish in the money. We'd be thinking about Royal Ascot with her and we'll know a bit more after this.”

Buckhurst in good shape ahead of the Gallinule

Joseph O'Brien charted a path towards Irish Derby glory with Latrobe in the Gallinule Stakes (7.05) last season, and will be hoping Buckhurst can follow a similar trajectory.

The trainer, who turned 26 on Thursday, said: "Buckhurst is in good form at home. We're coming back a bit quicker than ideal after Leopardstown but he's in good shape and we’re hoping for a nice run from him."

The Group 3 contest looks a fierce one, with Ballydoyle suitably represented in a race they have won 15 times in the past. Constantinople, who looks the pick of the squad with Ryan Moore in the saddle, was unlucky on his handicap debut and seasonal reappearance at Cork in April.

Aidan O’Brien said: "He has had a little bit of a break since Cork but he's ready to start back again and we think he'll come on from the run.”

On his other two runners, Antilles and USS Michigan, O’Brien added: "They are stepping up in trip and we think and hope that it will help them. They also seem to be in very good form."

Other noteworthy contenders in the seven-runner contest include the Jim Bolger-trained Bold Approach, absent since chasing home Anthony Van Dyck in the Tyros Stakes last season, and Tinandali, from the Dermot Weld stable, who was an impressive winner of a Leopardstown maiden last month.

British-trained runners hold the key to valuable handicap

The €100,000 TRM Excellence In Equine Nutrition Handicap over seven furlongs (6.35) has attracted two interesting British-trained raiders in Sanaadh, representing Michael Wigham, and Joseph Tuite-trained Kimifive.

Colin Keane will ride Sanaadh, and Wigham said: "He's done well since arriving from Andreas Wohler last summer and has been in good form at home. This has been the plan for a while and he should have a big chance."

Joe Tuite: delighted by the booking of Ryan MooreCredit: Edward Whitaker

Tuite is also confident of making his way back across the Irish Sea with a fair share of the prize-money, and is further buoyed having booked the services of Ryan Moore.

He said: "I've been delighted with him. He ran really well at Ascot in the Victoria Cup last time when the ground was softer than ideal and the faster ground at the Curragh will suit. I'm over the moon to secure the services of Ryan."

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