O’Brien outlines his plans for Camelot

Last year’s dual Derby winner is likely to reappear in either the Juddmonte or Irish Champion Stakes

Camelot ridden by Joseph O’Brien. Photograph:   Julien Behal/PA Wire
Camelot ridden by Joseph O’Brien. Photograph: Julien Behal/PA Wire

Camelot could return to action in either the Juddmonte International Stakes at York or in the Red Mills Irish Champion Stakes at Leopardstown.

Trainer Aidan O’Brien has given last year’s dual Derby winner plenty of time off since his fourth-placed finish in the Prince of Wales’s Stakes at Royal Ascot.

He said: “He’s in good order. He’s back after a break and he’s starting to progress. York and Leopardstown would be the two main races that could be possible.

“The Juddmonte is a great race and Irish Champion is a great race but it will depend on how he comes along. Things are going well so far.”

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Stablemate Kingsbarns is also nearing a return to action. The high-class colt has not been sighted since winning the Racing Post Trophy at Doncaster last October.

O’Brien said: “Everything is good. He’s moving great and is in full work. He could be exciting if he comes back. He could turn up at the Curragh for the Royal Whip (August 11th), or he could have a racecourse gallop, or he could go straight to Leopardstown (Irish Champion Stakes).”

O'Brien regrets running Ruler Of The World in the Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby after his triumph in Epsom equivalent. The Galileo colt lost his unbeaten record at the Curragh when only fifth of nine behind Trading Leather.

Races like the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe may still be on his agenda, but the Ballydoyle handler feels he should have taken more notice of what Ryan Moore told him after his success in the Epsom Derby.

“We shouldn’t have run him. Ryan said after Epsom he had a tough race — maybe we should have listened to him more,” O’Brien told At The Races. “He’s had a break now and we are back happy with him.”

War Command, such an impressive winner of the Coventry Stakes at Royal Ascot, will be seen next in the Phoenix Stakes on August 11th. “Hopefully he’ll go back to the Curragh on Sunday week.”