Six horses to look forward to this weekend at the Curragh

ChurchillAidan O’Brien

Potentially the most exciting equine talent for some time, Churchill is certainly the headline attraction at this weekend's Tattersalls Irish Guineas meeting.

Much has been said about Ballydoyle's decision to refrain from an attempt at the Investec Derby but it does mean Irish racegoers will have the opportunity to see the Newmarket hero on home soil.

Although the nature of how the 2,000 Guineas unfolded was unsatisfactory for some, Churchill was utterly imperious and fulfilled the promise he had shown last season as a juvenile.

In truth, nothing short of an easy victory would be satisfying this weekend for the horse who is generally 1-3 with the bookmakers.

Racing's purists may differ in opinion when it comes to whether he should have been Epsom-bound rather than this assignment, but they will all be united in the hope we are just beginning to scratch the surface of a racing superstar.

Irish 2,000 Guineas card

End of the partnership: Michael Halford and Shane Foley have parted waysCredit: Patrick McCann

IrishcorrespondentMichael Halford

It was Winston Churchill who once said "nothing in life is so exhilarating as to be shot at without result" and in the shape of Irishcorrespondent, Michael Halford and Shane Foley are certainly firing a live bullet in the Newmarket winner's direction.

The son of Teofilo was visually impressive on debut at Leopardstown, but the performance was even more noteworthy when considering he comes from a yard renowned for allowing horses to develop from their debuts.

He proved far too good for his rivals at the Curragh with a facile success earlier this month, announcing himself as a genuine contender for this Saturday's Tattersalls Irish 2,000 Guineas.

A general 5-1 shot for the first Classic of the Irish flat season, Irishcorrespondent would certainly give the media plenty to write about if managing to stake the scalp of Churchill.

Irish 2,000 Guineas card

Classy recruit: Acapulco, ridden by Donnacha O’Brien, wins on her rst start for Aidan O’Brien in the Listed Sole Power Sprint StakesCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

AcapulcoAidan O’Brien

The air of excitement surrounding the awesome Acapulco still lingers on following her devastating display in the Queen Mary of 2015.

While there have been peaks and troughs since announcing herself as a special talent in the care of Wesley Ward, she is a filly who more than fills the eye and could delight Irish racegoers in the Greenlands Stakes.

Now trained at Ballydoyle, she is currently in-foal to the all-conquering Galileo and still looked to possess the same sparkle when last seen at the Curragh earlier this month.

One would hope that on what could potentially be her final start in Ireland, Acapulco can go out with a bang before a tilt at Royal Ascot next month.

Greenlands Stakes card

Winter: bidding for a Classic doubleCredit: Mark Cranham

WinterAidan O’Brien

The market support in the weeks leading up to the Newmarket 1,000 Guineas suggested that Winter was truly coming.

Given an excellent ride by Wayne Lordan the daughter of Galileo managed to fend off a late surge from her stable companion Rhododendron (ante-post favourite for the Investec Oaks) who didn't secure the smoothest passage on the Rowley Mile.

Nevertheless, Winter was not stopping at the line and will head to Sunday's Tattersalls Irish 1,000 Guineas as a general 4-5 shot in the betting, further emphasising the impression created earlier this month at Newmarket.

Bidding to give her trainer a record-equalling seventh Tattersalls Irish 1,000 Guineas, if Winter reproduces the same turn of foot and willingness to win as she did last month she will certainly prove very hard to conquer.

Irish 1,000 Guineas card

Rehana and Shane Foley book their Irish 1,000 Guineas ticket at NaasCredit: Patrick McCann

RehanaMichael Halford

It's once again the case of Michael Halford tacking the Ballydoyle battalion in the Guineas this weekend, with Rehana looking to lower the colours of Winter in the Tattersalls Irish 1,000 Guineas.

She finished just three quarters of a length behind the aforementioned Newmarket heroine when third in the 1,000 Guineas Trial Stakes at Leopardstown last time and stepped up significantly on that performance when putting up a dazzling display in the Athasi Stakes at the beginning of the month.

It shouldn't be forgotten that she also accounted for Rhododendron in a Curragh maiden last summer and it would be no surprise to see Rehana blossom.

Irish 1,000 Guineas card

Minding sprints clear of Moonlight Magic to land the Mooresbridge StakesCredit: Patrick McCann

MindingAidan O’Brien

One of the most talented fillies in training, Minding is arguably the leading light of Aidan O’Brien’s current crop of Galacticos.

She has been nothing short of exceptional throughout her career, landing no fewer than seven Group 1 races with victory at Ascot over last weekend’s Lockinge Stakes winner Ribchester potentially the highlight.

She made a successful reappearance in the Mooresbridge Stakes at Naas earlier this month when destroying a trio of rivals, and whilst she will almost certainly face stiffer competition in the this weekend’s Tattersalls Gold Cup, the facile manner of that success gave clear indications that the fire still blazes abundantly within Minding.

Tattersalls Gold Cup card