The world's best racehorse, Hurricane Run, is expected to be able to indulge in little more than a lucrative solo against just two opponents at the Curragh tomorrow but it's a very different story for the Boylesports Irish 1,000 Guineas where Confidential Lady will have to have all guns blazing to improve on a second in the Newmarket Guineas three weeks ago.
If it wasn't for Alexander Goldrun's switch from the Ridgewood Pearl Stakes, then the Group One Tattersalls Gold Cup could have become a €250,000 embarrassment.
But even allowing for the top mare's presence it still should be a perfect kick-off to 2006 for Hurricane Run, whose Arc win last October earned him the highest official rating in the world. Certainly it will be a major shock if he doesn't win this race with the same sort of style his sire Montjeu showed six years ago when dropping back from a mile and a half.
Confidential Lady's proven ability to act on soft ground is a huge advantage to the Mark Prescott-trained filly whose 14 opponents in the fillies Classic include a team of five from Ballydoyle.
However, with conditions the way they are, her Group Three success on very soft ground at Deauville last year stands out, as does that fine effort behind Speciosa at Newmarket.
Prescott has managed to persuade her owners to come to Ireland instead of waiting for the Oaks and his arguments can be vindicated in style. An outsider to keep an eye on, too, could be Be My Queen.
Aidan O'Brien should have better luck in the Group Three Airlie Stud Gallinule Stakes where Kieren Fallon has significantly opted for Puerto Rico over the unbeaten Talenti. Puerto Rico started favourite at Gowran last time and a defeat by Poseidon Adventure evidently hasn't hurt his reputation in Ballydoyle.
Dermot Weld has Nightime in the Guineas but his best chance of a winner could be Lisselan Eagle in the mile handicap. This horse, who races in the colours of the 1996 Gold Cup winner Imperial Call, won as expected on a soft surface at Limerick last month.
Racing at Tralee tomorrow is dependant on the track passing a 7.30 inspection in the morning.
