Aidan O'Brien hopeful High Definition can put disappointing season behind him

Sunday: 3.05 Curragh
Hollywoodbets Alleged Stakes (Group 3) | 1m2f | 4yo+ | RTV

This should be an informative affair with a view to the coming Group contests in the early stages of the season, as highlighted by last year's running when a trio of subsequent Group 1 winners featured in the first four home.

Helvic Dream, who was fourth on that occasion but progressed to edge out Broome in last year's Tattersalls Gold Cup, makes his first start since that top-level breakthrough 322 days ago.

There is every chance the Noel Meade-trained performer could improve for the run, and he may prefer more of an ease in the ground than will be on offer at the Curragh on Sunday, but he remains a dangerous candidate.

Helvic Dream and Colin Keane (near) hold off old rival Broome in last year's Tattersalls Gold CupCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

High Definition, once 5-2 favourite for last year's Cazoo Derby, failed to progress as hoped last season, but showed definite promise as a juvenile. He too is a likely improver for this first start since disappointing in the St Leger in September, although the Ballydoyle team have started the new campaign brightly.

Joseph O'Brien is double handed with the likeable Visualisation and new recruit Gear Up, who won the Group 1 Criterium de Saint-Cloud for Mark Johnston at two, but failed to set the world alight at three.

Leo De Fury has won on the back of a layoff in the past and would have an each-way chance on his best form, while Listed winners Layfayette and Georgeville, as well as dual-purpose talent Jason The Militant, add depth to an interesting Group 3.

What they say

Chris Hayes, rider of Helvic Dream
Noel has done a terrific job with him and it was a nice surprise to see I was down to ride him at declaration time. This looks an ideal starting point for him; it's been a tried-and-tested route for good horses in the past. You'd imagine that Noel might be looking towards the Tattersalls Gold Cup with him again this year. Having had an extended break, it would seem possible that he could come on for the run but Colin [Keane] says he's in good form and this is a great spare to get.

Joseph O'Brien on Gear Up: 'It's his first start for us after an extended break so we're hoping he can run respectably'Credit: David Davies (Getty Images/Pool)

Mick Halford, trainer of Bear Story
We were delighted with his first start back at Naas and he's come on for the run. The trip and ground looks good for him but he'll need to find a bit on the figures. He's in tip-top form, though and we're hoping he'll run a nice race.

Joseph O'Brien, trainer of Gear Up and Visualisation
We're looking forward to running Gear Up. It's his first start for us after an extended break, so we're hoping he can run respectably. We've been happy with him at home. Visualisation is a solid horse and I think he'll appreciate any rain; we know he likes a bit of juice in the ground.

Aidan O'Brien, trainer of High Definition
He seems in good form and is ready to start back. He'll improve for the run. He might just have been a bit weak last season and it's possible that having a second run at two wasn't ideal in hindsight. We're happy with him and looking forward to running him.

Jessica Harrington, trainer of Leo De Fury
We're happy with the run we've got with him heading into his first start of the season. We're planning on stepping him up in trip going forward and seeing how he gets on.

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