Racing: Aidan O'Brien has five chances to score a fifth Entenmann's Irish 2,000 Guineas in seven years, but weight of numbers may not be enough today.Ranged against the Ballydoyle battalions are six cross-sea raiders, including the Newmarket Guineas runner-up Zafeen, who has headed most ante-post markets.
That Newmarket form, behind Refuse To Bend, includes the bulk of the main ante-post fancies, with the Ballydoyle number one Tomahawk (eighth), Tout Seul (fourth), Saturn (fifth) and Indian Haven (14th) all favoured by the bookies.
However, it could be worth betting that the layers have it wrong in concentrating on that classic form, and they look to have left a tasty 20 to 1 shot on the loose.
Napper Tandy drops back to the mile from the 10 furlongs of the Derrinstown Derby Trial, where he was less than three lengths off the Derby hope Alamshar.
Such a drop in trip hasn't stopped previous winners of the Guineas, and with the ground on the straight course forecast to be "soft," Napper Tandy brings proven form on a testing surface.
He also brings the speed that saw him win his maiden over six furlongs.
There is also Group One form from last autumn behind the top class Dalakhani, and the opinion of trainer Jim Bolger that Napper Tandy is the best colt he has trained since St Jovite.
Bolger proved he is no classic back number with Margarula's 33 to 1 Oaks shock last year, and the bookies do look to have left a bit of value with his latest Group One hope.
In contrast, they may be placing too much faith in what may turn out to be a less than vintage Newmarket Guineas.
Zafeen was 33 to 1 that day, and was unlucky, but he is unproven on soft going. Tomahawk raced like a horse that didn't stay and this Curragh mile is stiffer.
Tout Seul doesn't look to have progressed physically that much from two, and again may have his stamina tested today, while the going also looks to have gone for Evolving Tactics.
In a race that can provide shocks (Black Minnaloushe at 20 to 1 and Saffron Walden at 12 to 1) Napper Tandy could be the each way value.
Dermot Weld gives the top Australian sprinter Belle Du Jour a first start in Europe in the Weatherbys Greenlands Stakes, but on the going Captain Rio may be a better option.
Weld, however, does look to have the answer to the Marble Hills Stakes with Steel Light.
