Richard Hannon's Craven Stakes winner Trumpet Major is set to try and improve on his fourth in the QIPCO 2000 Guineas at Newmarket in the Abu Dhabi Irish 2000 Guineas at the Curragh on Saturday.
He is due to renew rivalries with third-placed Hermival this weekend and assistant trainer Richard Hannon junior is pleased to see the sun is shining in the Emerald Isle.
"The ground looks like it's going to dry out and if he turns up the same horse as he was at Newmarket two weeks ago, he'd have to have a good chance," Hannon junior told At The Races.
"It's not going to be an easy race but it certainly looks like a good opportunity for him.
"He won a Group Two last year, but I didn't think he'd win the Craven with a penalty the way he did.
"He looked for a long way as though he was going to win the Guineas, but the ground just found him out.
"He's a very good horse and if he's fit and well and the ground dries out, why not have a go?"
One British challenger who will go off at much bigger odds is the Bryan Smart-trained Foxtrot Romeo.
The Hamilton maiden winner was last seen finishing fourth behind Caspar Netscher in the Mill Reef Stakes at Newbury in September, but his recent homework has been impressing Smart.
He said: "I was very disappointed I didn't get him to the English Classic (2000 Guineas) as he got a bit of a cough and he went through a bit of a growing stage.
"But he's been working exceptionally well, his form is very good and he's a full-brother to Misu Bond and Air Chief Marshal.
"He's a very good horse and last year he was just a big baby. He's improved and he looks like a racehorse now.
"We've always thought the world of him and he looks like he should get the mile.
"He's as fit as I can get him without a run and I'm over the moon with him, so we'll give it a whirl."
