Timeform's Tattersalls Gold Cup Verdict: Vadeni gets the vote

Tattersalls Gold Cup
14:45 Curragh, Saturday
Live on RTE1/RTV

1. Bay Bridge (Sir Michael Stoute/ Richard Kingscote)
Progressed into a high-class performer last season, landing the Group 3 Brigadier Gerard Stakes at Sandown and making the Group 1 breakthrough in the Champion Stakes at Ascot on his final start of the campaign. Respectable one-and-a-quarter-length third in the Prix Ganay on his return (Vadeni was a length and a half back in fourth) and is a major player here.

2. Layfayette (Noel Meade/ Colin Keane)
Smart gelding who won three times last season, including on a couple of occasions here in the Group 3 Alleged Stakes and Group 2 Mooresbridge Stakes. Ran up to his best when third, beaten a length and three-quarters, by Point Lonsdale in the Huxley Stakes at Chester earlier this month, doing well the way the race developed, but he has plenty to find with the 'big three' here.

3. Luxembourg (Aidan O'Brien/ Ryan Moore)
High-class colt who landed the Group 3 Royal Whip Stakes here last season before striking at the highest level in the Irish Champion Stakes at Leopardstown, where Vadeni was a length and three-quarters back in third. Looked rusty when below his best in fifth in the Mooresbridge Stakes here four weeks ago but will be sharper now and holds strong claims based on his Irish Champion Stakes effort.

4. Piz Badile (Donnacha O'Brien/ Gavin Ryan)
Finished runner-up in the Irish Derby last season and ran creditably when third in the Mooresbridge Stakes on his return here four weeks ago, despite being unsuited by the emphasis on speed at the trip. Has plenty to find on form with the principals here, though.

5. Vadeni (Jean-Claude Rouget/ Christophe Soumillon)
Top-class colt who won twice at the highest level last season, landing the French Derby at Chantilly and the Eclipse at Sandown, and showed even better form in defeat when runner-up in the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe on his final outing of the campaign. Was below his best when only fourth in the Prix Ganay on his return but he should prove much sharper with that outing under his belt and he holds leading claims here.

6. Trevaunance (Jessica Harrington/ Shane Foley)
Smart filly who won three times during a productive campaign last term, including in Group 2 company. Shaped as if better for the run when sixth in the Mooresbridge Stakes but looks up against it at this level.