Aidan O'Brien leaves six in Irish 2,000 Guineas with key British challengers among 11 put forward

An excited Richard Hannon said Rosallion "travelled like a genius" in a workout last weekend ahead of a crack at the Tattersalls Irish 2,000 Guineas at the Curragh on Saturday, when his Newmarket runner-up could face a strong Ballydoyle battalion, which could even include Poule d'Essai des Poulains beaten favourite Henry Longfellow.

The French 2,000 Guineas proved a tale of woe for Henry Longfellow, who was never close enough to land a proper blow at Longchamp, but his name featured among a list of 11 for the first Irish Classic of the season at Tuesday's five-day forfeit stage so a quick return is not out of the question, although trainer Aidan O'Brien admitted the race is plan B for the son of Dubawi.

O'Brien is seeking a record-extending 13th victory in Saturday's mile showpiece, but the presence of 2,000 Guineas runner-up Rosallion, who has been installed as the 10-11 favourite with Ladbrokes, means he has his work cut out to add to that tally.

Sean Levey retains the ride on Rosallion, while Jamie Spencer will look to land a second Irish 2,000 Guineas after being called up to ride Newmarket third Haatem in place of James Doyle.

Hannon said: "Jamie Spencer will ride Haatem. He's experienced over there and he's a top jockey so we're delighted to get him. James has got rides for Wathnan [Racing]. Haatem put in a great run at Newmarket and goes there with a very good chance. The track will suit him and he's as tough as you get. He's got every chance.

Jamie Spencer will ride Haatem in the Irish 2,000 GuineasCredit: Alan Crowhurst (Getty Images)

"Rosallion is in great form. I'm really happy with both of them, they did a piece of work on Sunday morning and Rosallion travelled like a genius, and Haatem did what he normally does. He's very relaxed and just shows his wellbeing."

The presence of Henry Longfellow among the list of 11 was a surprise and O'Brien said he remains an unlikely runner, although a wet forecast later in the week could change that.

O'Brien said of his Curragh team: "Nothing is written in stone and you never know what will happen with the way the forecast is. The plan is for Unquestionable, River Tiber and Mountain Bear to run. That's the way we're thinking, but there is a lot of rain forecast so that could change.

"There is a chance Henry Longfellow could come out again, but it's not plan A. Plan A is to go straight to the St James's Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot.

"River Tiber is a fast horse and we have it in our heads that he could come back in trip for the Commonwealth Cup after this. He's got loads of speed."

O'Brien did issue a big note of caution about Unquestionable. The Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf winner is 6-1 with Ladbrokes, but the master trainer said he will not be at his peak on Saturday.

He admitted: "Unquestionable had a setback about four weeks ago and because of that he's going to need the run badly in the Guineas, so he will improve a lot for it, but we feel we need to get a run into him for him to go to Ascot. You would imagine he is going to improve a lot after this run."

Paddington landed the Tetrarch Stakes on route to Irish 2,000 Guineas glory last year, and Bright Stripes could attempt to emulate that feat for trainer Andrew Oliver. Atlantic Coast and Take Me To Church were also kept in for Joseph O'Brien and Jack Davison respectively.

Auguste Rodin: entered in the Tattersalls Gold CupCredit: Edward Whitaker (racingpost.com/photos)

Opera Singer is one of 15 fillies in the running for Sunday's Tattersalls Irish 1,000 Guineas. The five-length winner of last October's Prix Marcel Boussac is one of four O'Brien entries, along with Buttons, Everlasting and Pearls And Rubies.

The Karl Burke-trained Fallen Angel, who disappointed in the 1,000 Guineas at Newmarket, is one of two British-trained fillies in line to run, along with Skellet for Ralph Beckett.

Last year's Derby winner Auguste Rodin is among 11 entries for the Group 1 Tattersalls Gold Cup (3.10).

Tattersalls Irish 2,000 Guineas (3.40 Curragh, Saturday)
Ladbrokes: 10-11 Rosallion, 7-2 Henry Longfellow, 9-2 River Tiber, 5 Haatem, 6 Unquestionable, 16 Mountain Bear, 25 bar

Tattersalls Irish 1,000 Guineas (3.45 Curragh, Sunday)
Ladbrokes: 9-4 Opera Singer, 3 Porta Fortuna, 9-2 Vespertilio, 11-2 Fallen Angel, 10 Buttons, Purple Lily, 12 A Lilac Rolla, 14 bar

Tattersalls Irish 2,000 Guineas confirmations

Atlantic Coast Joseph O'Brien
Bright Stripes Andrew Oliver
Haatem Richard Hannon
Henry Longfellow Aidan O'Brien
Igor Stravinsky Aidan O'Brien
Mountain Bear Aidan O'Brien
River Tiber Aidan O'Brien
Rosallion Richard Hannon
Take Me To Church Jack Davidson
The Liffey Aidan O'Brien
Unquestionable Aidan O'Brien

Tattersalls Gold Cup confirmations

Auguste Rodin Aidan O'Brien
Crypto Force Adrian Murray
Elegant Man Adrian Murray
Hans Andersen Aidan O'Brien
Lord Massusus Joseph Murphy
Luxembourg Aidan O'Brien
Mashhoor Johnny Murtagh
Okeechobee Harry Charlton
White Birch John Joseph Murphy
Goldana Joseph O'Brien
Lumiere Rock Joseph O'Brien

Tattersalls Irish 1,000 Guineas confirmations

A Lilac Rolla Paddy Twomey
Alpheratz Joseph Murphy
Azada Dermot Weld
Bluedrum Jessica Harrington
Buttons Aidan O'Brien
Everlasting Aidan O'Brien
Fallen Angel Karl Burke
Finsceal Luas Jim Bolger
Opera Singer Aidan O'Brien
Pearls And Rubies Aidan O'Brien
Porta Fortuna Donnacha O'Brien
Purple Lily Paddy Twomey
Queen Of Thunder Ken Condon
Skellet Ralph Beckett
Vespertilio Willie McCreery