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Some key horses have been declared for major races this weekend, headed by Blue De Vega's bid for the Gr.1 Tattersalls Irish 2000 Guineas.

Pictured below under jockey Colin Keane, he is one of eight runners in the one-mile contest, and faces stiff competition from the likes of Galileo Gold who won the QIPCO 2000 Guineas at Newmarket on his latest start and no fewer than four runners from Aidan O'Brien's stable. They appear to be headed by Air Force Blue, who won three Group One races as a two-year-old, but who was well behind Galileo Gold at Newmarket.

Also declared is Awtaad, who beat Blue De Vega when they were first and second in a Listed race at the Curragh earlier this month, but the winner had the benefit of a run on that occasion.

Trainer Michael O'Callaghan opted to swerve the QIPCO Guineas to give Blue De Vega a little more time and is said to be happy with preparations for Saturday's race.

Early risers in Europe on Saturday will be able to watch two Qatar Bloodstock horses trained by Robert Smerdon bid for Stakes-race glory in Australia the mare Noble Protector tackles the Aus$650,000 Gr.1 Doomben Cup, while Dulverton lines up in a Gr.2 race for fillies.

Haydock's Gr.2 Temple Stakes has been won by Qatar Racing for the past two years thanks to Hot Streak and Pearl Secret. The last-named is one of 16 horses who have been declared for Saturday's race as he bids for back-to-back victories.

Three Qatar Racing horses are due to line up at Sandown Park near London this evening, including White Poppy, who won at Wolverhampton last time out, and now bids to convert that to a race on a turf. Ralph Beckett saddles a couple of unraced fillies on the same card, with two-year-old Bletchley and three-year-old Madame Chow making their racecourse debuts.

Picture of the Michael O'Callaghan-trained Blue De Vega: Racing Post Photos

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