'It looks open for third' - are they playing for places in Irish 2,000 Guineas?

The 2022 Flat season is well under way and it is 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 has you covered.

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

Friday round-up: Tuesday leads 1,000 Guineas charge; Lionel scores at Goodwood

Confirmations for the Irish 1,000 Guineas were revealed on Friday afternoon, with Aidan O'Brien's Tuesday leading the market as the general 9-4 shot.

The Ballydoyle trainer is seeking a fourth successive victory in this race and Tuesday, who was third to Cachet is the 1,000 Guineas at Newmarket, is his best chance. O'Brien is also represented by History, Concert Hall and Lullaby.

Second favourite Homeless Songs and Mise En Scene are also contenders for the race as a field of 14 take their chance.

Friday's action provided a clearer picture as to where some of the brightest three-year-old prospects may head next.

Lionel, trained by David Menuisier, was a 17-2 winner in the Cocked Hat Stakes at Goodwood and could turn into a Classic contender in Ireland, with the Irish Derby among his potential targets.

Lionel: wins the Cocked Hat Stakes at Goodwood on FridayCredit: Edward Whitaker

The three-year-old, who also holds an entry in the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, finished ahead of 7-4 favourite Aldous Huxley and Derby entrant Lysander.

The King Edward VII Stakes at Royal Ascot is a possible target for Lionel, and his price has been slashed to 16-1 (from 66s) with Paddy Power.

Market movers

Irish 2,000 Guineas
Imperial Fighter 28-1 (from 50 with Paddy Power)
Duke De Sessa 50-1 (from 25 with Paddy Power)

What they say

Dermot Weld, trainer of 2,000 Guineas runner Duke De Sessa

"He's very well. As a two-year-old he was a good Group winner and I think he's entitled to take his chance. Hopefully he can run a good race and we'd be delighted if he could be placed."

Michael O'Callaghan, trainer of 2,000 Guineas runner Malex

"If you take the top two out of it, it looks very open for the third spot. It was only his second start last time and we had to go straight into Listed company having won on his debut, which can sometimes be a bit of a curse.

"It looked a steadily run race last time and he wants a strongly run mile. Since then, we've worked him in blinkers and they've sharpened him up a lot. I think they'll give him an edge to be competitive."

Irish 2,000 Guineas preview: Charlie Appleby on Native Trail's chances at the Curragh

All eyes on . . . Irish 2,000 Guineas and Haydock

It promises to be another exciting Saturday of racing, with the headline event being the Irish 2,000 Guineas (3.20) at the Curragh.

Native Trail is the clear favourite as he bids to return to winning ways after finishing second to stablemate Coroebus in the 2,000 Guineas at Newmarket.

Charlie Appleby's three-year-old will be ridden by in-form William Buick, who will also partner Brad The Brief in the Greenlands Stakes.

Native Trail: is aiming to return to winning ways on SaturdayCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

Buckaroo is Native Trail's nearest market rival and the Ballysax runner-up could hand trainer Joseph O'Brien a first win in this race as a trainer.

How the markets look

Irish 2,000 Guineas (3.20 Curragh, May 21)

Paddy Power: 4-11 Native Trail, 4 Buckaroo, 14 Ivy League, 22 Atomic Jones, 25 Wexford Native, 28 Imperial Fighter, 50 Duke De Sessa, 66 Malex, 100 New Energy

Irish 1,000 Guineas (3.45 Curragh, May 22)

Sky Bet: 5-2 Tuesday, 11-4 Homeless Songs, 5 History, 8 Purplepay, 9 Mise En Scene, 10 Hermana Estrella, 12 Agartha, 14 Concert Hall, Wild Beauty, Panama Red, Star Girls Aalmal, 16 bar

Cazoo Oaks (4.30 Epsom, June 3)

Sky Bet: 5-4 Emily Upjohn, 4 Tuesday, 5 Nashwa, 9 With The Moonlight, 10 Concert Hall, 12 Tranquil Lady, 14 Above The Curve, 16 History, Life Of Dreams, Thoughts Of June, Life Of Dreams, 25 bar

Cazoo Derby (4.30 Epsom, June 4)

bet365: 9-4 Desert Crown, 5-2 Stone Age, 15-2 Piz Badile, 8 Changingoftheguard, 12 United Nations, 14 Star Of India, 16 Walk Of Stars, 18 Westover, Eydon, 25 bar

Read Saturday's race previews:

2.10 Curragh: expect Royal Ascot clues as unbeaten juveniles clash in Marble Hill Stakes

2.35 Haydock: 'The favourite will take a lot of beating' – trainer quotes for a hot handicap

2.45 Curragh: McGuinness seeking 'big performance' as A Case Of You warms up for Royal Ascot

2.55 York: 'He must run well' - Tim Easterby is keen on one of his big-field sprint runners

3.10 Haydock: 'I can't wait to run him' – trainers on their top Sandy Lane contenders

3.20 Curragh: Charlie Appleby on Native Trail's chances in the Irish 2,000 Guineas at the Curragh

3.45 Haydock: can Nunthorpe winner Winter Power produce her best away from York?

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