O'Brien brings Lancaster House back to defend his Gladness Stakes crown

2.35 Curragh
TRI Equestrian Gladness Stakes (Group 3) | 7f | 3yo+ | RTV

This was the scene for a stylish front-running victory for Lancaster House last year, albeit in mid-June as the start of the season was delayed due to Covid-19.

It provided Aidan O'Brien with a first Gladness win since Excelebration in 2012 and seemed to tee up Lancaster House for another profitable season. It didn't turn out that way, though, as he found the going tough in higher grades afterwards and concluded the campaign by trailing in last of the 14 runners in the QEII at Ascot.

Despite that rather tame finish to the season, Lancaster House still arrives here the joint top-rated with Know It All and Speak In Colours – all three boasting a mark of 110. He remains lightly raced and there may be more to come as five-year-old so underestimate him at your peril.

Know It All looks to have more scope for improvement. At the start of last season she was Johnny Murtagh's horse to follow for the campaign, but stablemate Champers Elysees stole her thunder by winning four in a row, including the Group 1 Matron Stakes at Leopardstown.

Know It All was fourth in that, only headed inside the final furlong having swept to the front passing the two furlong pole. She has not been seen since but this looks her optimum trip and there looks more to come from her.

Murtagh and Ben Coen teamed up for a double at Gowran Park last Thursday week and they could register their first big win of the season here. She looks the one to beat.

Fiscal Rules is fascinating. He ran in the Irish 2,000 Guineas on his second start and the Irish Derby on his third. He was only a 15-2 shot for that and finished fifth to Santiago. It seems he has more speed than stamina, though, and his comeback at Cork over 6f when second to Laugh A Minute was packed full of promise.

Fiscal Rules (left, white): is of interest down in tripCredit: Patrick McCann

You can never rule Speak In Colours out of anything and his last try over 7f was a winning one at Fairyhouse in July. He was second in this race last year too, so he does stay this far.

The last favourite to win this Group 3 was Sruthan all the way back in 2014 and there have been some shocks. Flight Risk was 50-1 when he won it in 2015, while Custom Cut was 25-1 in 2013.

A 'Brief' respite for the British?

A British win in Ireland? How about that. It would be rather ironic given the way the last few weeks have gone but Brad The Brief is certainly not without a chance and has little to find on the figures.

The four-year-old is no stranger to travelling. After seeing off the speedy Summerghand in a Listed race at Newmarket in August, he went to York for a Group 3 then to Chantilly for another Group 3 and was last seen running in Saudi Arabia where he finished down the field in the lucrative Dirt Sprint at Riyadh.

Brad The Brief: can the British challenger make an impact?Credit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

Tom Dascombe is hoping for showers to hit the Curragh and said the slower the ground the better chance Brad The Brief has.

He said: "He's fit and well and ready to run. I just hope the ground is soft enough for him. He had a great season last year and he'll run his usual good race but the softer the ground the better for him."

Dascombe has sent out two winners from nine runners in Ireland in the last five seasons and is actually showing a €23 level-stakes profit for every €1 staked on his raiders.

What they say

Joseph O'Brien, trainer of Speak In Colours
He held his form together well last year and he's come back from Dubai in good form. He ran well in this race last year and we're hoping he can do so again.

Ado McGuinness, trainer of Current Option
He's in very good form and I'm expecting a nice run. He has to improve a bit on the figures to get involved but I think he can.

Aidan O'Brien, trainer of Lancaster House
He seems to be in very good form and has freshened up nicely over the winter. He won this race last year and he was second in a Group 2 to Romanised afterwards so this looked a nice place for him to start back.

Jessica Harrington, trainer of Free Solo
It's a very good race and this will advise me as to where I'm going to go with him for the rest of the season. I've had a good clean run with him at home and I think he'll run very well.

Johnny Murtagh, trainer of Know It All
She’s in good form and we’re excited about her. This is a nice place for her to start off her season.

More to read of Saturday's previews. . .

Broome can sweep up another Group 3 prize in Alleged Stakes

Tony Carroll raring to go as Brighton stages first fixture since October 2019

Graeme Rodway is on the hunt for Royal Ascot hopefuls in hot handicap

For all our exclusive free bet offers and must-have daily promotions click the free bets button or go to racingpost.com/freebets