Home team looking to defend 2000 Guineas

Aidan O'Brien is looking for his 10th victory in the Tattersalls Irish 2,000 Guineas at the Curragh and his five-strong team is headed by Newmarket disappointment War Command.

The colt will be aiming to follow in the recent footsteps of Power and Roderic O'Connor, who flopped in the English Guineas before bouncing back to win in Ireland.

O'Brien has stopped short of putting blinkers on War Command, but has opted for cheekpieces.

He said: "Before the Guineas he wasn't working as impressively as Australia and the way they finished is the way they worked at home.

"He's a lazy worker and we had debated about putting blinkers on him at home last year, but then he won the Coventry and we didn't have to. Ryan (Moore) said at Newmarket 'he didn't wake up at all for me'. There is a chance (with headgear) he'll step up, and he needs to."

Paul Deegan's Prince Of All is improving at a rate of knots and landed a Listed race at Dundalk in fine style last time out.

"As long as it's not too soft he'll run. He made all last time because we thought there'd be little pace and as he was coming back one furlong in trip we thought we'd make it less complicated," said the trainer.

"He's a very big horse, he's imposing and has a high cruising speed, so we didn't want a tactical race. He did it well as he was out on his own a long time and could have got lonely.

"He's come on a bit since then and has improved for the run. He'll keep on improving and he's only had three runs. The Curragh should suit him more as it's a stiff track. He'll get 10 furlongs later in the year I think."

Dermot Weld's team have been in excellent form so far this term and he expects his representative Mustajeeb to be involved at the finish.

"He put up an excellent trial for the Guineas. Beating the older horses was good, he quickened nicely and he's a progressive horse," said Weld.

"Whether he's good enough to beat Kingman remains to be seen. He's good enough to compete - good enough to beat him remains doubtful. He's got a definite each-way chance."

Obliterator has only had two runs but has shown stacks of ability for Ger Lyons. However, if the forecast is right he may not be run.

David Redvers, racing manager for owners Qatar Racing, said: "Ger is very happy with the horse, but he won't run if the word soft is in the going description. I t's very frustrating as he's in such good form, but if there is a deluge at the Curragh, he won't be lining up. We 'll probably aim towards the French Derby and then Royal Ascot."

John Murphy's Big Time was just half a length behind David Wachman's Sudirman in both the Railway and Phoenix Stakes last year and will be stepping up to a mile for the first time.

The trainer said: "This has been his aim since his last run, he's in very good shape and I couldn't be happier. He just had a tiny cough in late March and early April so we skipped the trials and have gone straight for it. I just hope it's not soft or heavy ground. If he stays, I'd be looking for him to run a big race and I'm really excited."