The unbeaten dual-Derby winner Galileo is set to have his next race in the King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Diamond Stakes at Ascot .
Trainer Aidan O'Brien, asked yesterday about the colt's next start, stated: "Galileo is a possible now for the King George. We want a race for him before the Irish Champion Stakes."
That sets up a clash with the season's top older horse, Fantastic Light, who is being aimed by Godolphin at the Ascot prize in 19 days' time.
Generous, in 1991, was the last horse to complete the Epsom Derby-Irish Derby-King George summer triple crown, but O'Brien reported: "Galileo did his first canter since the Curragh on Saturday morning and seems in very good form."
O'Brien has never won a King George during his spectacular career but it is a favourite hunting area for Galileo's rider, Mick Kinane, who has won the race on Belmez (1990,) King's Theatre (1994) and Montjeu last season.
The King George option looks a logical one for Galileo, as O'Brien nominated York's Juddmonte International as a target for Saturday 's Eclipse fifth Black Minnaloushe.
"Circumstances just beat Black Minnaloushe and he is a very versatile horse who can go anywhere now. There is the Juddmonte or possibly the Sussex Stakes," he said.
Before that however, the Ballydoyle trainer faces a difficult decision as to whether Imagine will be allowed run in Sunday's Kildangan Stud Irish Oaks.
The double classic-winning filly is sound following a stone bruise picked up last week but O'Brien said: "We will make a decision tomorrow. She has missed some very important days and we won't take any chances with her."
There will be no two-year-old runner from Ballydoyle at this week's Newmarket July meeting, and the O'Brien team for Thursday's Darley July Cup will be finalised today. Mozart and Freud are the most likely runners, with Ishiguru also a possible starter.
Tonight's action is at Roscommon, where Mick Kinane can stretch his advantage over Johnny Murtagh at the top of the jockeys table. Murtagh won't return to action until Wednesday after his fall from Rumours Abound at Cork on Friday and Kinane looks to have a couple of good chances this evening in his absence.
The first of them is High Maintenance in the fillies' maiden after the Charles O'Brien-trained runner's debut behind Alluring Park; and Kinane's booking for the 75rated Ostjessy in the two-mile maiden looks significant.
Danaeve looks a reasonable selection in the opening maiden hurdle, while Dr Oscar, runner-up to Didntearyea, looks the one to be on in the bumper.
James Fanshawe is determined to find a winning chance for Grandera after the colt's fine second place in the Eclipse.
Reflecting on possible targets for the King George entry, Fanshawe said: "It is difficult to make plans the day after a race and we will play it by ear but we would like to get him winning."
