Junior to head straight for Classic

David Junior will bypass the Baileys Irish Champion Stakes in September and next week’s Juddmonte International at York.

Brian Meehan’s Coral-Eclipse hero will instead head straight for Churchill Downs and the Breeders’ Cup Classic on October 28.

To that end, the four-year-old colt will swerve what would have been a mouthwatering showdown with Eclipse fifth and subsequent Nassau Stakes winner Ouija Board in the Champion Stakes on September 9.

“Everyone connected with the horse has had their hearts set on the Breeders’ Cup and it is sensible to build his preparation gradually towards the objective,” said Meehan.

“It must be remembered that he started his programme earlier than most because we were getting him ready over the winter for the Dubai Duty Free in March.

“It’s a considerable time between the Dubai World Cup meeting and the Breeders’ Cup. Another factor is giving him a longer break now rather than another race was that his win in the Eclipse came quite soon after his run at Royal Ascot.

“The horse is fine and cantering every day. We want him at his peak for the US. He has a dirt pedigree on both sides and he must go there with a big chance - granted a good preparation,” the Manton handler told the Racing Post.