DONNACHA O’Brien has warned that his star older horse Piz Badile will improve plenty for his first run of the season in Sunday’s Group 3 SP Or Better Guaranteed With Tote Alleged Stakes (3.10) at the Curragh.

The Niarchos Family’s imposing four-year-old by Ulysees landed the P.W. McGrath Memorial Ballysax Stakes on his seasonal reappearance last year and posted a career-best when an excellent second to Westover in the Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby, with Breeders’ Cup heroine Tuesday in fourth.

Piz Badile, who failed to fire when sent off at 9/1 for the Cazoo Derby, has been absent since trailing a six-runner Grand Prix de Paris field last July and O’Brien has been pleased by the colt’s physical progression since.

“He’s in great form and has done very well from three to four,” the classic-winning trainer told The Irish Field.

“He always looked to have the makings of a nice four-year-old last season. I think he’s a stronger horse now; he’s very professional. We’re really looking forward to him for the season ahead.”

A race won by Ballydoyle in three of the last five years - through quality performers Capri (2018), Magical (2019) and Broome (2021) - the 2023 Alleged Stakes also sees the return of Aidan O’Brien-trained four-year-old Point Lonsdale, a classy juvenile who hasn’t been seen since finishing down the field in last year’s 2000 Guineas at Newmarket.

Layfayette, who won this race 12 months ago, is back for more and must concede 5lb to all rivals, recent Plusvital Devoy Stakes first and third, Visualisation and Self Belief, lock horns again and the field is completed by Fastnet Crown, last seen beaten five and a half lengths in the Paddy Power Irish Lincoln.

With conditions described as heavy on Friday morning - with the possibility of 3-5mm of rain prior to racing - Piz Badile’s trainer is hoping the ground does not turn too demanding.

“Whatever he does on Sunday, we think he’ll improve a lot for it and will be much better on nicer ground,” said O’Brien.

“He’s just ready to start. Hopefully it dries out between now and Sunday. This looks a nice starting point for his season. In terms of an early-season target, we have the Tattersalls Gold Cup back at the Curragh [on May 28th] but we’ll see how the weekend goes.”