Curragh trainer Michael O’Callaghan is confident Blue De Vega will push his rivals all the way when he competes in the Tattersalls Irish 2,000 Guineas at the Curragh on Saturday.

The three-year-old has won two of his three starts as a juvenile since he made his debut in September last year.

The bay colt has never placed outside the top three in his first four races but he steps up in class this weekend.

He was the beaten favourite earlier this month in the Tetrarch Stakes but O’Callaghan is confident he will respond.

“He is very well, in good order, and we’re looking forward to running him at the weekend,” he told At The Races.

“He’s come on a lot from his first run in the Tetrarch a couple of weeks ago.

“A mile is going to be his absolute minimum from now on. With his stout German pedigree I’d say he’s going to end up stepping up in trip.

“We’ll take in the Guineas first and see where we go after that.”

The early favourite is Hugo Palmer’s Galileo Gold after his stunning performance in the 2000 Guineas at Newmarket. He will once again be partnered by Frankie Dettori.

Trainer Aidan O’Brien has four runners in the race, with Air Force Blue the pick of his other runners which include Air Vice Marshal, Bravery and Shogun.

Kevin Prendergast’s Awtaad and Sanus Per Aquam from Jim Bolger’s yard complete the field for this weekend’s blockbuster race.