GALILEO Gold’s connections are not expecting a walkover in the Tattersalls Irish 2000 Guineas today.

The son of Paco Boy is likely to be sent off a short price for the Curragh classic after his superb victory in the 2000 Guineas at Newmarket.

Trainer Hugo Palmer is taking nothing for granted regarding Aidan O’Brien’s string however, headed by Newmarket flop Air Force Blue: “You clearly write off any of Aidan’s horses at your peril and he has brought back the likes of Roderic O’Connor and Power to win this race after disappointing at Newmarket. But if Galileo Gold runs the same race as he ran in the Guineas, then the others have to pick up their game to beat him.”

Palmer went on to rule out the Epsom Derby for Galileo Gold. The colt will instead stick to a mile in the Sussex Stakes at Glorious Goodwood should all go to plan at the Curragh.

Harry Herbert, racing manager for Al Shaqab, commented on Galileo Gold’s form: “We would like to think that, having won the Guineas on his first run of the year, he is still progressing. This is a Guineas, though, and it is not going to be easy. Air Force Blue could have put whatever stopped him running his race at Newmarket behind him and he would be a real rival.

“Newmarket was too bad to be true and we have the utmost respect for Aidan and his team. We’ve seen horses of theirs bounce back from bad runs before - Aidan is just a genius. But we just have to concentrate on our horse.

“I can’t see the trip to Ireland being a problem. He travelled to France last year and ran a great race to be third so I don’t think that will be anything to worry about. The track should suit him - a stiff mile will be right up his street - and hopefully he can win.”

AIR FORCE BLUE

Despite the threat of soft ground, Air Force Blue is viewed as the leading contender for Aidan O’Brien who also fields Air Vice Marshal, Shogun and Bravery. Last year’s champion juvenile left many scratching their heads when flopping in the 2000 Guineas at Newmarket.

O’Brien said: “We’ve just changed our approach with him. There’s every chance I leaned too hard on him. I’m hoping that was the reason and, if it was, we might see a different horse the next day.”

Air Vice Marshal was beaten four lengths in fourth at Newmarket, while Shogun, who was last seen when second in the Derrinstown Stud Derby Trial, and Dundalk maiden winner Bravery offer fresh competition.

Sheikh Joaan Al Thani is the man behind Al Shaqab, responsible for favourite Galileo Gold, and he will be competing with his cousin Sheikh Fahad Al Thani, who sends Blue De Vega to today’s big race under his Qatar Racing banner.

Blue De Vega, who is trained by Michael O’Callaghan, will be renewing rivalry with the Kevin Prendergast-trained Awtaad, who beat him by two lengths at the Curragh earlier this month.

Blue De Vega was conceding 3lb to the winner that day and O’Callaghan is expecting his charge to improve.

STAYED ON

He told At The Races: “The Tetrarch was a nice blowout for him and a nice introduction for the year. He stayed on to the line well and galloped out strong. It should leave him spot on.

“The ground should be beautiful and I think he’s got a massive chance. He has a lot of class and a lot of natural speed.”

Awtaad is unbeaten in his last three starts and Prendergast is confident of a bold show: “He’s in good form and ready to fire. We had a horse beaten less than five lengths in the Irish Guineas last year (Mohaayed) and this horse would be miles better than him, so we’ll see what happens.

“The ground is perfect and if everything goes well, I’m sure he’ll run very well.”