Ruler Of The World confirmed for Curragh
The Ballydoyle trainer has taken the Classic for the last seven years, and 10 times in all, and has a host of entries in the race this season.
However, O’Brien has decided to name his Investec Derby winner as on target for the Curragh, as well as announcing other significant running plans for Royal Ascot.
“We’re making our plans known earlier than usual to allow others to plan positively for the Irish Derby,” O’Brien told www.coolmore.com.
Battle of Marengo, who was fourth at Epsom, will go for the King Edward VII Stakes, while Derby sixth Mars will run in the Tercentenary Stakes.
Magician, impressive winner of the Irish 2,000 Guineas, is in line for the St James’s Palace Stakes, with Gale Force Ten heading for the Jersey Stakes and Leading Light the Queen’s Vase.
Last year’s Epsom and Irish Derby victor Camelot is set for the Prince of Wales’s Stakes.
Declaration Of War will take on Dubai World Cup winner Animal Kingdom in the Queen Anne Stakes that kicks off the five-day bonanza on Tuesday week.
Stepwise meanwhile is set to step up in class after justifying strong support to land the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Race at Navan on Saturday.
Winner of a maiden over the course and distance on his second start just three weeks ago, the John Oxx-trained colt may have had to work hard to land the spoils, but his handler already has plans for him.
Declan McDonogh made his challenge on the even-money favourite two furlongs from home after the Aidan O’Brien-trained Forester had made the running.
Won Diamond joined issue on the outside in what developed into a three-horse war, but it was Stepwise who prevailed by a neck. Won Diamond was second with Forester another neck away.
“It was a bit of a slow pace and I thought beforehand that we might have to make the running,” said Oxx.
“Joseph (O’Brien aboard Forester) went off in front and then slowed it down and that didn’t really suit as our horse probably wants a mile and a quarter.
“He is a very nice horse and he goes well on fast ground. We will keep stepping him up in class and probably in distance.
“We could look at something like the International Stakes at the Curragh on Derby weekend or else wait for the likes of the Meld Stakes or the Royal Whip.”
* Jeremy Gask reports Medicean Man to be on course for Royal Ascot despite a slight scare following his victory at Haydock on Friday. The seven-year-old sprinter took in a piece of turf during the Achilles Stakes and had to stay the night at the Merseyside track.
However, he was well enough to travel back to Gask’s base in Wiltshire on Saturday morning and appears to have made a quick recovery.
“He did it very well and showed that on his day he is a very nice horse and I think he can come on for that,” said Gask.
“He knows he’s had a run. He swallowed, or inhaled, a clot of turf and he was a little bit uncomfortable on the course last night. It was unfortunate what happened, but he’ll be fine.”
