Hippodrome looks main hope as Aidan O'Brien targets 12th Eyrefield Stakes

Saturday: Leopardstown

It is a very big weekend for Ballydoyle juveniles, with Aidan O'Brien represented in the two Group 1s at Saint-Cloud as well as the Vertem Futurity Trophy at Doncaster, and the trainer is also triple-handed in the Eyrefield Stakes at Leopardstown (4.20) in an attempt to win the Group 3 for a 12th time.

Strawberry Roan got the ball rolling in 1996 before going on to finish runner-up to stablemate Classic Park in the following year's Irish 1,000 Guineas and O'Brien has three live chances with Gulf Of Mexico, Hiawatha and Hippodrome.

Jockey bookings would suggest Curragh maiden winner Hippodrome is the number one with Seamie Heffernan on board, while title-chasing Billy Lee has a rare ride for the stable on Hiawatha. Derby-winning rider Emmet McNamara is on Gulf Of Mexico.

O'Brien said: "Hippodrome is a nice Galileo colt who is progressing lovely and won well at the Curragh. Gulf Of Mexico handled the ground well to win at Killarney and is a colt we've always liked, while Hiawatha will appreciate the step up in trip having found seven a bit on the sharp side at the Curragh last time."

Dermot Weld sent out Duke De Sessa to win the race last year and will fancy his chances of back-to-back victories with the filly Keep In Touch, who went down fighting in the Weld Park Stakes last time.

In the Listed Knockaire Stakes (3.10) Glounthaune returns to a track where he seems to save his best form. He won the Killavullan Stakes at the venue around this time last year and O'Brien is hopeful of a big performance.

The trainer said: "Glounthaune likes Leopardstown and has some very good form at the track, including when second over Irish Champions Weekend. He has come back from France in good form."

O'Brien's son Donnacha is represented by Emporio but is worried about stall ten. He said: "He's in good form and the conditions should suit him, but he's drawn a little bit wider than ideal."

Gavin Cromwell has wasted little time in sending the consistent Sunset Shiraz back into action. She was just touched off by Toy in a Listed race at Naas on Sunday and a repeat of that would put her right in the mix.

Saturday previews:

2.05 Cheltenham: 'He was unlucky not to win last year' - who fancies their chances at Cheltenham?

2.40 Cheltenham: Pied Piper or Knight Salute: who will claim victory in a classic trilogy?

3.15 Cheltenham: Can course regular Editeur Du Gite notch yet another Cheltenham victory?

3.35 Doncaster: 'We want to run' - but O'Brien wary of ground for hot favourite Auguste Rodin

3.50 Cheltenham: Can Charles Byrnes and son strike another blow for the Irish with Shoot First?

Newbury: 'It looks like a race he can win' - Hamish out to give Haggas another St Simon

The Front Runner is our latest email newsletter available exclusively to Members' Club Ultimate subscribers. Chris Cook, a four-time Racing Reporter of the Year award winner, provides his take on the day's biggest stories and tips for the upcoming racing every morning from Monday to Friday