IT’s quite unusual for a 2000 Guineas winner for whom such high hopes were held a month ago to now come to the Curragh with a need to re-establish himself at the top of the three-year-old ranks. Even more so that it is an Aidan O’Brien-trained colt. In some ways, Saxon Warrior is similar to El Gran Senor, who was an odds-on loser at Epsom after his emphatic Guineas win.

In those days we more used to the Derby winner coming to consolidate his position as the top three-year-old and to see off the French winner.

It’s a decent field this evening, even without the Derby winner. Ground conditions are faster than at Epsom but that shouldn’t affect the Ballydoyle colt any more than his opposition.

Many things went wrong at Epsom and he never looked on an even keel and looked flat in the closing stages. The question whether his inability to pick up in the final furlong was through lack of stamina will be answered today.

If horses inherit their sire’s strengths and weaknesses, caution is advised for those supporting Dee Ex Bee, who ran a great race at Epsom.

Dee Ex Bee is a son of Farhh, who did not have the best of front legs and suffered injuries in his early days. Fast ground could be a question mark.

Old Persian comes via the King Edward, but it’s a tough ask to come back only nine days after winning in the hot summer weather at Ascot.

There has to be value among the longshots. It’s not unusual for the Ballydoyle second strings to make the frame at big odds – The Pentagon and Delano Roosevelt have been a bit disappointing to date.

Rostropovich’s Ascot run was decent, even if Old Persian had his measure.

The value could come with Platinum Warrior. Michael Halford’s son of Galileo is around 25/1. His Gallinule win promised more to come as he still looked green.

Judged on the manner of his Racing Post Trophy, Saxon Warrior should handle course and the opposition. He needs an impressive win to restore his reputation to that of the colt for whom we had such high hopes for on the eve of Epsom.

Thought for the week

Which would give you the most satisfaction? Paying £800 for Directional or €365,000 for Altior’s three-parts brother?