Gustav Klimt has trained on beautifully from two to three if his performance in the Listed Ballylinch Stud 2,000 Guineas Trial Stakes at Leopardstown is anything to go by. Imaging looked a likely winner for Declan McDonogh over a furlong out here, but Gustav Klimt came home strongly under Ryan Moore to edge the verdict by a length and three parts.

They left the other two, Kenya and U S Navy Flag eleven lengths and two and a quarter lengths behind.

Paddy Power go 11/2 from 8/1 about Gustav Klimt for the 2,000 Guineas.

"We're very happy, obviously the ground was far from ideal, but it was nice to get a run into him as it's a long time since he ran. Ryan was very happy with him," said winning trainer Aidan O'Brien.

"Ryan said he was very impressed with the way he quickened in that ground. He's a real good ground horse.

"Newmarket is the plan if everything is well.

"US, we knew he'd hate the ground but he needed to get out, and Donnacha's horse (Kenya) will stay further.

"US might go to the Guineas now and he'll grow another leg between now and then."

The Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board Veterinary Officer examined U S Navy Flag (USA), trained by A.P.O'Brien, at the request of the Stewards and reported the animal to be post race normal.

(GC & EM)