The Newmarket 2,000 Guineas is in the past and now preparation begins for the Irish equivalent in 19 days time, with Mozart trying to redeem his reputation in the Tetrarch Stakes.
The Coolmore-sponsored Group Three race has attracted three declarations from Ballydoyle, but Mick Kinane's presence on Mozart indicates the Danehill colt is the stable preferred.
However, that sort of indication allowed Mozart start at 1 to 4 in the Guineas Trial at Leopardstown and finish only third to Dr Brendler and Derivative.
However, Aidan O'Brien is willing to forgive the horse that run and said yesterday: "The ground was terrible when he got beaten at Leopardstown and Michael was not hard on him. He should prefer this going."
The ground on the Curragh is forecast to be "yielding", but it can dry out rapidly at headquarters and that should favour Mo- zart against the Dermot Weld-trained listed winner, Lethal Agenda.
The afternoon could see persistent clashes between the Weld and O'Brien camps, who predictably are already the leading yards this season.
Weld, who was in New York on Saturday night to see Pine Dance run second in the Grade Three Fort Marcy Handicap, has saddled 11 winners already this term and his Muakaad can upset the O'Brien comeback horse Bach in the listed Mooresbridge Stakes.
Bach hasn't run since fracturing a pelvis when runner-up to Suances in the Prix Jean Prat last June and is actually rated 1lb inferior to his stable companion, Shoal Creek, by the handicapper.
Muakaad shares Bach's 111 rating and ended last season with an ultra-smooth defeat of Dolydille at Leopardstown. The faster the ground the better for the Weld runner, and this season can see Muakaad justify his trainer's high opinion.
Weld can also win with Lunardi in the 10-furlong handicap; but the other black type event, the Athasi Stakes, could be bound for Michael Grassick's Katherine Seymour although the stable cut little ice with its first runners of the season yesterday.
O'Brien's Spinning World colt, Tendulakar, will be the popular choice in the opener; and the two-mile winner Ancelin is preferred to the St Leger fourth, Media Puzzle, in the last.
