Tattersalls Irish 2000 Guineas (Group 1)

Age Of Kings: Looked a very smart colt when running out four-length winner at the Curragh last June, but he failed to make the step up on his next starts at Group 2/3 level. He will need to have improved hugely to make this step up on seasonal debut.

Alexander John: A 70-rated maiden who has little hope of making any sort of impact at this level.

Bold Discovery: Just two starts last year, finishing third to Cairo in the Group 3 Killavullan, before returning to that seven-furlong trip at Leopardstown to finish second to Hans Anderson in 2,000 Guineas Trial - reportedly only just ready to start off. Disappointing in the Tetrarch (fifth of six, beaten eight lengths by Paddington) but scoped badly afterwards. A lot to be taken on trust.

Cairo: Group 3 Killavullan winner on final start at two before embarking on early-season project to take in UAE Derby, winning comfortably at Dundalk but ultimately disappointing when 35-length 10th of 13 at Meydan. He is surely better than that effort so while he needs to bounce back, it’s not unforeseeable that he can get involved.

Charyn: Soft-ground Group 2 winner in France at two and started his season satisfactorily when second to Isaac Shelby in the Greenham, again on soft. The ground came in his favour at Newmarket but failed to really land a blow, without disgracing himself in eighth. More needed now.

Galeron: Huge run in the Guineas at a price of 150/1, staying on steadily in the final two furlongs to finish fourth - five lengths off the winner, and just over three lengths away from today’s rival Hi Royal. Returns to the scene of his Goffs Million win last season now, so there are reasons to be optimistic, for all that his two best performances, aforementioned, have come on soft ground.

Hi Royal: Defied a price of 125/1 and mark of just 91 with a huge effort to finish second in the Guineas, showing real signs of greenness by hanging left late on. That gives him real scope to improve on what will be just his fifth start and this track should prove more straightforward.

Paddington: Five-length winner of back-end Curragh maiden last term and two from two already this season, looking professional if not overly impressive in both performances - Madrid Handicap and Listed Tetrarch Stakes over this course and distance. All three wins have come on soft ground, so he has a little question to answer for what is already a big step up in class, but he is going in the right direction.

Proud And Regal: The only Group 1 winner in the field, having taken the Critérium International at Saint-Cloud last October, which came after his second to Al Riffa (who had been early favourite for this race) in the National Stakes. No match for Sprewell in Derby Trial Stakes on soft/heavy ground and interestingly comes back in trip now, with fitness on side. Looks a player.

Quar Shamar: Well held in sole maiden start last season but a different proposition when running out a comfortable winner from the front at Dundalk in April, the runner-up boosting that form somewhat since. Shane Foley prefers him to same stable’s Bold Discovery.

Royal Scotsman: Six runs last year culminated in excellent second to Chaldean in the Dewhurst and he confirmed the value of that form in the Guineas, as despite the fact he was beaten further, his run can be marked up given he had to do all his own running on the stands’ side. Decision to supplement at the very least suggests his connections feel there could be more to come from him now, with race fitness banked and the quicker surface set to pose no problem.

Conclusion:

Proud And Regal is of interest back at a mile but he has a few questions to answer and that seems to be the case for all of the home team. The Guineas form should hold up. Hi Royal can hold sway again, with this more conventional track likely to bring about an improved performance.

With his proven Curragh form, Galeron appeals as an each-way alternative.