Native Trail to tackle eight rivals in Irish 2,000 Guineas

Native Trail heads a nine-strong field for the Tattersalls Irish 2,000 Guineas at the Curragh on Saturday.

Charlie Appleby’s charge, last year’s European champion two-year-old, is one of two English challengers, with the Andrew Balding-trained Imperial Fighter also confirmed at the final declaration stage.

The home team is headed by the Joseph O'Brien-trained Buckaroo, who is set to renew rivalry with Jim Bolger’s Wexford Native, the Sheila Lavery-trained New Energy and Michael O'Callaghan’s Malex having led the trio home in a Group Three at the Curragh two weeks ago.

Aidan O'Brien relies on this week’s supplementary entry Ivy League, with Ger Lyons’ Atomic Jones, and Dermot Weld’s Duke De Sessa also lining out for the first Irish Classic of the season.

Watch live coverage of the Tattersalls Irish Guineas Festival at the Curragh on RTÉ2 and the RTÉ Player from 2pm on Saturday and on Sunday from 1.40pm on RTÉ One and the RTÉ Player.