SATURDAY'S Gladness Stakes at the Curragh gave us the first piece of the Classic jigsaw and, while the result might suggest otherwise, it should still be possible to cram Desert King's name into one of the 2,000 Guineas puzzles.
For Ireland's top juvenile of last season to be beaten by two and a half lengths by a six-year-old gelding, whose main function in life is to lead Mark Tompkins' "good horses", mad not shriek possible Classic winner but Aidan O'Brien and Christy Roche didn't have the heavy-hearted air of disappointed men afterwards.
The Newmarket veteran, Cool Edge, may have won the Group Three prize on Saturday but the impression remains that the circumstances would have to be similarly specialised if he is to beat Desert King again. We are unlikely to ever find out though as Desert King is set to travel a more luminous career path.
"Considering how the race went, I'm very pleased with the horse," O'Brien said afterwards. "He's in both the English and Irish Guineas and the better the race, the better he'll be."
Roche's insistence that a stiff mile will be to Desert King's liking suggests the Irish 2,000 Guineas is the more likely option and there is unlikely to be the same after your generosity in that race as allowed Cool Edge carry off the first Irish pattern race of the season to Britain.
Nigel Day, showing commendable initiative on his first Curragh ride, stole a six length lead on Cool Edge at half way which left several grandstand jockeys wondering if a bell might be organised in future at the racecourse crossing to remind their more diminutive brethren that pace setters don't automatically return to the pack's enveloping arms.
When the chase eventually started, the favourite My Branch was quickly beaten and it was only Desert King, who physically looked as if the race would benefit him, that put up any sort of challenge.
An exultant Mark Tompkins was already looking ahead to the Newmarket 2,000 Guineas where Musical Pursuit will be his representative in three weeks. "This is very encouraging as Cool Edge leads Musical Pursuit at home and Musical Pursuit canters all over him. Musical Pursuit is entered in Thursday's Craven Stakes but we might go straight for the Guineas now," the Newmarket trainer said.
Should Desert King take the Irish Guineas option, then O'Brien is unlikely to be short of possible replacements from his Ballydoyle yard for the English version.
One possible is Royal Affinity, a striking Royal Academy colt, who made a winning debut in the six furlong maiden. A two-length defeat of Stefka is hardly earth shattering form but he is clearly held in high regard by his trainer.
"This is a very good horse," said O'Brien, eyeing the colt appreciatively. "He's a big baby, wants a mile and is in the French and English Guineas. With the English Guineas only three weeks away he won't run again before that but he is a very quick learner."
Royal Affinity was the third leg of an O'Brien-Roche four-timer that promises to be only a prelude to an all encompassing summer. Harbour Master underlined the strength of the Ballydoyle juvenile team with a generously priced 2 to 1 success in the Martinstown Maiden
