Gstaad and True Love already have the Irish Guineas firmly on the radar for Aidan O’Brien

Coolmore will launch a powerful assault on the Classics scheduled for next weekend at The Curragh, with Gstaad and True Love leading the operation for trainer Aidan O’Brien in the Irish Guineas

True Love exits a victory in the 1000 Guineas at Newmarket / NEWMARKET

COUNTY KILDARE, Ireland (Special to Turf Diario).- As happens almost every European spring, much of the attention once again turns toward Aidan O’Brien and the power of Ballydoyle. And this weekend, at the Tattersalls Irish Guineas meeting at The Curragh, the Irish trainer will once more arrive armed with exceptionally strong contenders among both the colts and the fillies.

The first to step onto the stage will be Gstaad, who shapes as one of the leading favorites for the Irish 2000 Guineas (G1) following his outstanding effort at Newmarket, where he was forced to surrender only to the brilliant Bow Echo (Night of Thunder) in the English 2000 Guineas (G1).

With George Boughey’s colt being pointed directly toward Royal Ascot, the road now appears to open for the son of Starspangledbanner, who will seek Classic revenge over The Curragh’s demanding straight.

Among the fillies, the central figure appears to be True Love, who created a huge impression with her victory at Newmarket and now heads the list of 16 confirmed runners for the Irish 1000 Guineas (G1).

The daughter of No Nay Never delivered a spectacular performance in the English version and now aims to confirm that she is destined to become one of the leaders of the European sophomore generation.

Also representing Ballydoyle is Precise (Starspangledbanner), who started favorite at Newmarket but finished clearly behind her stablemate and now faces the challenge of overturning roughly a five-length deficit.

The major Classic festival at The Curragh will also include the Tattersalls Gold Cup (G1), where one of the standout possible runners is Minnie Hauk (Frankel).

The mare recently returned with a victory following a superb 3-year-old campaign in which she captured three Group 1 races and also finished second to the extraordinary Daryz (Sea The Stars) in the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe (G1).

Once again, everything seems to revolve around Ballydoyle.

Because when Ireland’s great Classic weekends arrive, the dominant shadow of Aidan O’Brien almost always looms largest.