Home team bid to see off Newmarket hero Air Force Blue is viewed as the leading contender for Aidan O'Brien in the Tattersalls Irish 2,000 Guineas on Saturday. The master of Ballydoyle has won the Curragh Classic no less than 10 times and also fields Air Vice Marshal, Shogun and Bravery, but it is last year's champion juvenile, who left many scratching their heads when flopping in the 2000 Guineas at Newmarket, who most eyes will be on. O'Brien s aid: "We've just changed our approach with him, there's every chance I leaned too hard on him, it's very possible. I'm hoping that was the reason, and if it was we might see a different horse the next day. "We have tweaked a few things in his training and we are happy with him so far." Air Vice Marshal was beaten four lengths in fourth at Newmarket, while Shogun, who was last seen when second in the Derrinstown Stud Derby Trial, and Dundalk maiden winner Bravery offer fresh competition. O'Brien added: "Newmarket was a first run of the season for Air Vice Marshal so hopefully he will come on for that. "Shogun ran well in the Derrinstown Derby Trial and he is a horse we think is going to improve with racing." Sheikh Joaan Al Thani is the man behind Al Shaqab, responsible for favourite Galileo Gold, and he will be competing with his cousin Sheikh Fahad Al Thani, who sends Blue De Vega to race under his Qatar Racing banner. Blue De Vega, who is trained by Michael O'Callaghan, will be renewing rivalry with the Kevin Prendergast-trained Awtaad, who beat him by two lengths at the Curragh earlier this month. Blue De Vega was conceding 3lb to the winner that day and O'Callaghan is expecting his charge to improve immeasurably for the outing. He told At The Races: "The Tetrarch was a nice blowout for him and a nice introduction for the year. "He stayed on to the line well and galloped out strong. Colin Keane said he had two real good blows, which is good, as he's going to come forward a lot from it. It should leave him spot on. "The ground should be beautiful and I think he's got a massive chance. He has a lot of class and a lot of natural speed." Awtaad is unbeaten in his last three starts and the experienced Prendergast is confident of a bold show. He said: "He's in good form and ready to fire. We're very happy with the horse. "We had a horse beaten less than five lengths in the Irish Guineas last year (Mohaayed) and this horse would be miles better than him, so we'll see what happens. "The ground is perfect and if everything goes well, I'm sure he'll run very well."
