AN INTENSE ENCOUNTER; IRISH RACING.

Byline: By PETER O'HEHIR

PROVEN Group 1 performer Intense Focus leads a disappointing entry of only seven for Sunday's Leopardstown 2,000 Guineas Trial.

The Jim Bolger-trained colt prevailed over Lord Shanakill and Finjaan in a finish of noses to the Dewhurst at Newmarket last October.

A son of Giant's Causeway, Intense Focus fought tenaciously in a first-time visor on the big day at Newmarket, when he was having his ninth run of a busy juvenile campaign, and emulated Bolger's Tefilo and New Approach, which had won the previous two runnings of the Dewhurst.

And Bolger, inset, is expected to monitor weather and ground conditions this week before deciding whether to run Intense Focus or his stablecompanion Vocalised.

Speaking at the Curragh, Bolger said: "Intense Focus is well forward. And I'm happy with him. We're aiming him at the English Guineas and time's on our side."

Bolger indicated that he had no firm plan for the colt and that his Guineas preparation will depend largely on ground conditions as his charge needs a good or fast surface to be seen at his best.

In addition to Bolger's two colts, Aidan O'Brien has entered Born To Be King, Grand Ducal and Hail Caesar for Sunday's trial while the only other entries are Dermot Weld's Liebermann and the Kevin Prendergast-trained Recharge.

Meanwhile, Willie Mullins hopes to run last year's Ballymore winner Fiveforthree in the Aintree Hurdle on Saturday week, April 4, if the ground is "not too fast".

The grey, troubled by back and rib injuries early this season, made a belated but impressive return to action at Wexford last week and will face the likes of Celestial Halo and Aintree specialist Al Eile in the Grade 1 event over two and a half miles.

Fiveforthree will go novice chasing next season. But Punchestown, presumably the three-mile Ladbrokes World Series Hurdle, is very much on his short-term agenda.

Both Irish Invader and Snowy Morning, third to Comply Or Die last year, remain on course to represent Willie Mullins in next Saturday's John Smiths Grand National at Aintree.

He also intends running Cheltenham fifth Morning Supreme in the mares' bumper and might also be represented in the other bumper at the three-day Aintree meeting.

Cousin Vinny, beaten favourite in the Supreme Novices at Cheltenham, is reported to be "in a lot a better form" by Mullins and is set to be stepped-up to two and a half miles in the Grade 1 champion novice event at the Punchestown Festival.

Fast ground could upset Mullins' plans for Punchestown. But, at this stage, Cooldine, Mikael D'Haguenet, Cousin Vinny, Quevega and Mourad are all intended runners at the Festival.

Dual Grade 1 winner Hurricane Fly, described as "a lot sounder" by his trainer, continues to progress slowly after his splint injury. But Mullins has emphasised that he's taking it "day by day" with his 2010 Champion Hurdle hope.

Punchestown is still the target for Hurricane Fly.

But, if that plan doesn't work out, Mullins might consider running him on the flat or returning to Auteuil for big French pots with him. Or the five-year-old could be roughed off for the

CAPTION(S):

LEOPARDSTOWN APPEARANCE Intense Focus