Galileo Gold will face seven rivals when he chases a Classic double in the Tattersalls Irish 2,000 Guineas at the Curragh on Saturday.

Hugo Palmer’s three-year-old was a decisive winner of the 2000 Guineas at Newmarket and is a hot favourite to follow up in the hands of Frankie Dettori.

Aidan O’Brien saddled a record 10th winner of the race when Gleneagles struck gold 12 months ago and this year the master of Ballydoyle saddles four runners.

Air Force Blue was bitterly disappointing when odds-on at Newmarket, but is well fancied in some quarters to bounce back.

O’Brien is also represented by Newmarket fourth Air Vice Marshal, Dundalk winner Bravery and Shogun.

Blue De Vega won two of his three starts as a juvenile and while he was a beaten favourite on his return in the Tetrarch Stakes, Michael O’Callaghan expects him to strip much fitter for the run.

“He is very well, in good order, and we’re looking forward to running him at the weekend,” the Curragh trainer told At The Races.

“He’s come on a lot from his first run in the Tetrarch a couple of weeks ago.

“A mile is going to be his absolute minimum from now on. With his stout German pedigree I’d say he’s going to end up stepping up in trip.

“We’ll take in the Guineas first and see where we go after that.”

Kevin Prendergast’s Tetrarch winner Awtaad and Sanus Per Aquam from Jim Bolger’s yard complete the field.