Klimt chance to prove class

GUSTAV KLIMT is expected to boost his 2,000 Guineas credentials by landing today’s Ballylinch Stud sponsored trial in Leopardstown today.

Aidan O’brien is responsible for three of the four runners, including

a revelation last autumn when he won both the Middle Park and Dewhurst in Newmarket, a notable Group 1 double, before disappointing on the dirt in the Breeders Cup Juvenile, at the end of a tough, 11-race juvenile campaign.

Significantly, Ryan Moore will be on board Gustav Klimt today, when the Galileo colt will have his first start since overcoming traffic problems and getting up late to beat Nebo in the Group 2 Superlative Stakes at Newmarket’s July meeting – he was a late withdrawal from the Group 1 National Stakes in September due to a stone-bruise.

Reports this spring have suggested Gustav is more forward than Ballydoyle’s chief winter hope for the Guineas,

And he’s expected to prove too strong here for stable-companions US Navy Flag and and Dermot Weld’s 98-rated

a recent winner in Cork.

Ryan Moore’s mount

a Dundalk winner which went on to finish third in the Oh So Sharp (Group 3) in Newmarket, will lead the Ballydoyle challenge for the Group 3 fillies trial, also sponsored by Ballylinch Stud.

But I prefer Jessica Harrington’s powerfullybuilt exciting last spring when scoring twice at Naas and narrowly beaten in the Albany at Royal Ascot.

We didn’t see the best of her when fifth to Happily in the Moyglare in September but with time to fill out her considerable frame, she should be tough to beat here, despite a high draw.

IOf the Ballydoyle trio in the Ballysax, won last year by subsequent Melbourne Cup winner Rekindling, I like Moore’s mount

, so impressive under Ana O’brien in a Curragh maiden and third to stable-companion Saxon Warrior in the Racing Post Trophy in his final juvenile outing. The Pentagon is officially rated 1lb inferior to stable-companion Nelson, beaten a neck by Roaring Lion in the Royal Lodge and 9lb above O’brien’s other runner Delano Roosevelt, last seen when runner-up to Saxon Warrior in the Beresford (Group 2) in Naas.

But the market is probably our best guide to the Ballydoyle runners in this and the other trials.

Another Ballydoyle inmate

probably not entirely straightforward and blinkered for the first time, is napped to take advantage of a mark of 81 on his handicap debut in the TRI Equestrian 3-Y-0 Handicap.