Albert Einstein set to be star turn at the Curragh

It is surprising because at his annual press morning just two weeks ago Aidan O’Brien suggested he was likely to have a racecourse gallop at Irish racing’s Flat headquarters 24 hours later rather than a race.

However, his name appeared among the entries along with Group One-winning stablemates Puerto Rico and Gstaad and while they will be among the Ballydoyle gallopers on Sunday, Albert Einstein has been called into action.

O’Brien stated midweek that because injury kept him off the track after May last season he felt the experience was needed and his presence has forced Ryan Moore into a change of plan, seeing him give up his book of rides at Meydan on World Cup night.

This time last year O’Brien ran another three-year-old in the race, Camille Pissarro, who was a Group One winner at two.

He ran well under a penalty but could not catch the five years older Big Gossey, who is back to defend his title.

Defeat did not prevent Camille Pissarro from going on to win the French Derby in June, however.

It will not be straightforward for Albert Einstein, as a three-year-old taking on his elders at this time of year, not least Ed Walker’s five-year-old Ten Bob Tony.

At his best over seven furlongs in soft ground, he has conditions to suit and finished third in the Prix de la Foret in the autumn.

“I wouldn’t ideally ship him to Ireland and take on some pretty good horses over there, but it’s either that or a mile at Donny,” said Walker.

“I just think while we have conditions, which he didn’t have in the whole of last summer, I think we’ve got to grab them and forget what the opposition are.

“Let’s just run him where he’s going to run his best race. That is probably the Curragh, with dig in the ground over seven. If he turns up I’m sure he will run a big race.”