Gustav Klimt and U S Navy Flag lock horns Stable companions Gustav Klimt and U S Navy Flag do battle in the Ballylinch Stud 2,000 Guineas Trial at Leopardstown on Saturday. Gustav Klimt has not been seen in competitive action since winning the Superlative Stakes at Newmarket last July, but is the preferred mount of Ryan Moore in this seven-furlong Listed contest. U S Navy Flag brings stronger form the table, having struck Group One glory in the Middle Park and the Dewhurst at Newmarket as a juvenile, and will be ridden by Seamie Heffernan on his first start since disappointing at the Breeders' Cup in November. Trainer Aidan O'Brien said: "Gustav Klimt is in good form and is just ready to start. Hopefully he'll come on plenty for the run. "He missed the second half of last year and hasn't been out in a long time. "U S Navy Flag is in good form, too, and is just ready to start as well. Obviously we'd prefer better ground, but we just want to get him out. He seems to be in good form." Gustav Klimt and U S Navy Flag are both as short as 7-1 for the Qipco 2000 Guineas at Newmarket on May 5, with fellow Ballydoyle inmate Saxon Warrior the 5-1 favourite. O'Brien has a third string to his bow this weekend in the unexposed Kenya (Donnacha O'Brien), who won the Killavullan Stakes over this course and distance and is 33-1 for next month's Rowley Mile Classic. The four-strong field is completed by the Dermot Weld-trained Imaging, who does at least have the benefit of race fitness after making an impressive start to the campaign in a conditions race at Cork. "We are looking forward to returning to Leopardstown this weekend and Imaging takes his chance in the 2,000 Guineas Trial," said Weld. "He is very versatile ground-wise and I have been happy with the horse since Cork."
