The six-million dollar questions

Can Phoenix Of Spain confirm his Classic form?

Punters who watched Phoenix Of Spain dominate a highquality field in the Irish 2,000 Guineas will have been cursing themselves as the 16-1 shot roared home at the Curragh.

The Charlie Hills-trained Classic hero has the chance to confirm himself the best threeyear-old miler, and with improvement likely one would be foolish to think he has not got the ability to do so.

The turning mile course at Ascot will bring a new challenge, but this son of Lope De Vega looks an uncomplicated colt and will arrive on June 18 a worthy favourite to gain more Group 1 riches.

Can beaten pair fight back?

The world is still waiting for the real Too Darn Hot and the question of whether the talented colt is confined to being just a great juvenile or is set to become a leading three-year-old will likely be answered at Ascot.

Magna Grecia also has questions to answer after his attempt at a Guineas double failed at the Curragh and left Aidan O’brien and the Coolmore partners scratching their heads.

While both have certainly been wounded in the early stages of this season, they retain the potential to reignite their seasons on the greatest Flat stage of them all.