Express on track for Irish glory

The British champion trainer struck with Canford Cliffs 12 months ago and this time saddles Dubawi Gold, who finished second to Frankel in the 2,000 Guineas at Newmarket at the start of the month.

Dunboyne Express looks the best of the home team, having impressed in the 2,000 Guineas Trial at Leopardstown at the end of March and his trainer is hopeful he has progressed since. "He's in good form and has been working well, so hopefully he'll run a big race," said Prendergast. "We have Hannon's horse to beat, obviously, but our horse is improving and we think he's a better horse than he was last year."

Hannon is expecting a bold show from Dubawi Gold but is respectful of the opposition. "Dubawi Gold has worked well since Newmarket and his final scope was good," said the trainer.

"We did not have him last year so you can't compare him with my other three winners, but, though he has taken time to relax, he switched off beautifully in the Guineas. When you go to Ireland you never know what sort of pace you are going to get, but Hughesie (Richard Hughes] got off at Newmarket and said 'without Frankel we would have come home alone'. If he can reproduce that form he'll be hard to beat.

"He is a smashing horse with a real good turn of foot and though people are claiming that this is a sub-standard Classic, there are no easy Group Ones."

Hughes is confident the colt will take some stopping over the Curragh mile. "He's the one to beat on form - there's no doubt about that," the jockey said.

"I rode him to be placed in the Guineas and said any more is a bonus. But in the end I rode him to win and ended up getting beat six lengths. If I'd just ridden him to be placed, I probably wouldn't have come off the bridle. He's fit and well and moving well. I just have to settle him as normal and a small field would suit."

Slim Shadey was a couple of places behind Dubawi Gold at Newmarket and trainer Stan Moore would be thrilled with a similar result this weekend. He said: "If we finish fourth again we'd be over the moon. It will be tough, but if you're not in it, you can't win and racing is for enjoyment."

Aidan O'Brien saddles three of the eight runners, with main hope Roderic O'Connor set to be ridden by his son Joseph.The master of Ballydoyle is also represented by High Ruler and Oracle, while John Oxx's Zabarajad and Foolproof from the John Joseph Murphy yard complete the field.

Jim Bolger does not expect the drop in distance to be a problem for Banimpire when she goes for Classic glory in tomorrow's Etihad Airways Irish 1,000 Guineas.

The three-year-old is already enjoying a profitable year, running out a surprise winner of the Ballysax Stakes before striking gold again at both Gowran Park and Naas.

Having defeated the likes of Derby hope Recital and recent French Guineas third Wild Wind, her form looks rock solid and her trainer expects a bold show this weekend. "She's in good form and has been running well. Her form is good," said Bolger.

On British soil, Times Up bids to give trainer John Dunlop back-to-back successes in the Stowe Family Law LLP Grand Cup at York.

Tactic took the prize for the Arundel stable last season and now the five-year-old gelding has the chance to land the Listed race over a mile and three-quarters. However, last season's November Handicap winner has yet to prove he stays this longer distance.

He did, though, give every indication it might be within his compass in 2011 as it took all of the mile and a half at Newmarket for him to gain a short-head verdict over Sharaayeen in a competitive handicap three weeks ago.

Among Times Up's rivals are Simenon and Palomar, who were third and seventh respectively in the November Handicap at Doncaster.

Andrew Balding would prefer softer conditions for Simenon, but is still optimistic of a good run. "I'm very happy with him but he's a horse that is better with a bit more cut in the ground than there is going to be there, but he should be effective enough," said the Kingsclere trainer.