The Simon and Ed Crisford-trained Knight was the sole absentee at the declaration stage for Ireland’s first Classic of the season at the Curragh on Saturday.
UK-based trainers look to hold a strong hand with four of the eleven declarations making their way across the Irish Sea. All four contested the English equivalent at Newmarket just two weeks ago with runner-up High Royal, once again ridden by Oisin Murphy, hoping to go one better and give owner Jaber Abdullah a Guineas double following Marhaba Ya Sanafi's success in the Poule d'Essai des Poulains at Longchamp. Many believe Royal Scotsman was unlucky not to finish closer at Newmarket and the supplemented son of Gleneagles will be partnered by Jamie Spencer for the first time with regular rider Jim Crowley having other commitments.
Trainer Charlie Hills won this with Phoenix Of Spain back in 2019 and he's booked 2020 winning rider Colin Keane to partner his 2000 Guineas fourth Galeron. Roger Varian's Greenham runner-up Charyn rounds out the English quartet and he will be ridden by David Egan once more.
Aidan O'Brien searches for a remarkable twelfth success in the Classic despite not having won it since 2017 with Churchill and he'll be triply represented this time around. Impressive Tetrarch Stakes winner Paddington looks the pick of his trio with Cairo looking to bounce back from a disappointing effort on dirt in the UAE Derby. Age Of Kings will make his first start since finishing third behind the opposing Criterium de Saint-Cloud winner Proud And Regal, who looks to get back to his best following a third-place finish in Leopardstown's Derby Trial.
Jessica Harrington saddles a pair of runners with Quar Shamar and Bold Discovery both standing their ground. The former will be partnered by stable jockey Shane Foley while Billy Lee gets the mount on the latter.
Luke Comer's Alexander John completes the field of eleven and will be partnered by Nathan Crosse.
Confirmed jockeys to follow…
