Second empire's absence through injury from today's Tetrarch Stakes removes much of the classic significance from the Group Three contest but it does appear to leave the way open for Two-Twenty-Two to continue his winning run.
In terms of the classics however, Second Empire continues to make the most impact. Ladbrokes removed the Aidan O'Brien-trained Grand Criterium winner from their Derby betting after Second Empire pulled muscles in his hindquarters when working at Ballydoyle yesterday morning.
"He definitely won't be able to run in the French 2,000 Guineas and it will take us a few days to find out the extent of the injury," said O'Brien, who added that it was too early to say if Second Empire would be recovered in time to be trained for Epsom.
Ladbrokes quickly removed the colt from their Derby lists and made Gulland their new 5 to 1 market leader with today's 2,000 Guineas favourite Xaar on 7 to 1. O'Brien's other hopes, King Of Kings and Saratoga Springs, are on 16 to 1 and 20 to 1 respectively.
All of which matters little to Two-Twenty-Two's trainer Dermot Weld, who can continue his flying start to the season with an overall treble at the Curragh today.
Only four now go in the Tetrarch, including the Italian winner Shaquille, but this could turn into another fight between Two-Twenty-Two and Chateau Royal. The two met in the Leopardstown 2,000 Guineas Trial when the Weld colt swept by to win by three and a half lengths. Chateau Royal is 3lbs better off now but Two-Twenty-Two appears to the sort of straightforward consistent colt that can defy him again.
Pat Smullen has the responsibility on the Weld horses with Michael Kinane engaged at Newmarket and this excellent young rider should have a relatively easy time of it on the Listowel winner Stage Affair in the Listed Mooresbridge Stakes.
Weld and Smullen could also take the opener with the Brief Truce filly Camargo who made an encouraging debut at Cork last Sunday behind Show Me The Money. Camargo was running on well on that occasion and should have learned enough to cope with the O'Brien newcomer, the Danzig filly Rainbow Amethyst.
Another partnership that can make their mark on the day is that of John Oxx and John Murtagh. The Curragh duo rate the Forty Niner colt Playacting quite highly and he will be hard to beat in the mile maiden.
Absoluta has to give weight away in the Newbridge Handicap but this filly was unlucky in her three races last year to come up against animals of the quality of Saratoga Springs, Second Empire and Cultural Role. There's nothing of that calibre against her today and she can overcome the weight.
Kincara Palace has done well over the winter and can beat Heed My Warning who has been under something of a cloud recently in the Athasi Stakes while the weights indicate that Tinker Amelia can turn the tables with Shanko in the Mongey Handicap. At Gowran tomorrow, the Avonmore Classic Trial looks a classic trial in name only but now that Desert Fox has broken his duck, he can improve enough to win it.
O'Brien can also win the Sycamore Maiden with Yellow Bells while another O'Brien, Charles, looks to have the winning of the Copper Beech Maiden if Alonzo has made normal improvement from two to three.
Charlie Swan has been waiting for over a week now to chalk up the winner that would give him 1,000 over jumps and Maryobee can be the candidate to get that landmark out of the way in the Avonmore Handicap Hurdle.
Aidan O'Brien is targeting York's Dante Stakes for Saratoga Spring's first run of the season.
