Dylan Thomas in the frame

Last year's Irish Derby hero Dylan Thomas could start off his four-year-old career back at the Curragh on Sunday.

Last year's Irish Derby hero Dylan Thomas could start off his four-year-old career back at the Curragh on Sunday.

The Danehill colt, also winner in 2006 of the Champion Stakes at Leopardstown, is one of three Aidan O'Brien-trained entries among the 16 left in the Listed Ascon-Rohcon Alleged Stakes over 10 furlongs.

"Dylan Thomas is a possible runner, but it will be later in the week before we decide for sure," said O'Brien yesterday.

"Septimus (last year's Dante winner) is also a possible. I would say we will only run one of them, but there are tests and other things we have to sort out first before deciding."

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One Ballydoyle star definitely reappearing on Sunday will be last year's French Guineas runner-up Marcus Andronicus, who will take his chance in the Group Three Castlemartin and La Louviere Gladness Stakes over seven furlongs.

This race also sees last year's runner-up, Mustameet, as one of the 13 left in, along with another Kevin Prendergast-trained colt, Decado, who hasn't run since Royal Ascot last year.

Mustameet enjoyed a prolific season last year with five wins, but his year ended with a lack-lustre effort when finishing last in Hong Kong in December.

Prendergast could also run the unbeaten Boca Dancer in the Listed Loughbrown Stakes, a race that has also attracted the Round Tower winner Rabatash from David Wachman's yard.

The ground at the Curragh is officially described as "good to yielding."

National Hunt fans will also have an interest in the concluding Peter Byrne Kildare Race, as Macs Joy is set to have a warm-up ahead of attempting to defend his ACC Bank Champion Hurdle title at the forthcoming Punchestown festival.

Brian O'Connor

Brian O'Connor

Brian O'Connor is the racing correspondent of The Irish Times. He also writes the Tipping Point column