Steinbeck can lead O'Brien hopes in Irish Guineas

Aidan O'Brien holds the key to unlocking tomorrow's Irish 2000 Guineas at the Curragh, boasting six of the 13 runners.

They are headed by Steinbeck, who makes his eagerly-awaited seasonal debut. After running out an easy winner on his debut as a juvenile, he finished fourth in the Dewhurst on his second and final start last season, but missed the 2000 Guineas at Newmarket through injury.

O'Brien said: "Steinbeck has always excited us and though he was held up for a month, we're going to run. It will be his first run of the year but hopefully he's ready to run a nice race.

"He was ready to run in the spring but had a little setback before Newmarket. Rather than rush him, we gave him time. He's had a racecourse gallop and matured well."

O'Brien's cautious view, as he bids to win the race for the third year in succession and a seventh time in all, is perhaps to be expected.

But while it may not inspire great confidence, STEINBECK (3.45pm) looks a better option than Fencing Master, the best of the stable's other five runners, who take on a strong English contingent, headed by Guineas third Canford Cliffs.