GEOFF HUFFER'S English 2,000 Guineas winner Cockney Rebel is on course for a crack at Saturday's Boylesports Irish 2,000 Guineas at the Curragh. The colt had a blow-out on the polytrack at Newmarket on Wednesday and the trainer reported, "His gallop went very smoothly. I couldn't be happier with him."

Cockney Rebel was originally scheduled to head straight for the St James's Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot, but Huffer explained "We had a rethink after Newmarket because he came out of the race so well and thought we might as well try to pick up another Guineas if we can."

Vital Equine, Dutch Art and the Aidan O'Brientrained Duke Of Marmalade finished second, third and fourth behind Cockney Rebel at Newmarket and they will all be renewing rivalry on Saturday. Cockney Rebel will be trying to become the first horse since Rock Of Gibraltar in 2002 to complete the English/Irish Guineas double.

The Kevin Prendergasttrained Haatef, who finished fourth to Teofilo in last season's Dewhurst Stakes, is also expected to make the line-up and his connections will be hoping he can improve on his disappointing 10th placing in the English 2,000 Guineas.

Fellow Curragh trainer Frank Ennis expects to be double-handed with Confuchias and Ferneley, while Jim Bolger's hopes rest solely with Creachadoir, narrowly beaten at Longchamp last Sunday.

Stable-companion Finsceal Beo, just touched off on the line in the French 1,000 Guineas the same day, bids to resume her winning ways in next Sunday's Boylesports Irish 1,000 Guineas and does battle again at the Curragh with Arch Swing, who chased her home at Newmarket.

Tommy Stack's Leopardstown 1,000 Guineas Trial scorer Alexander Tango is another likely contender.