NEXT weekend will be notable on several fronts as the first three of the 13 Group 1 races run in Ireland this year will be down for decision while the continuing Curragh project will play host to two of its most significant fixtures of the year.

Firstly to the action on the track where both the Tattersalls Irish 1000 and 2000 Guineas have a reasonably open look to them and this provides a somewhat fitting encapsulation of what has transpired through the first eight weeks of the 2018 domestic flat season. Aidan O’Brien will field leading candidates for both classics and also the Tattersalls Gold Cup as he inches ever closer to 100 Group 1 winners in Ireland.