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Moore likely to take Kentucky Derby ride

Ryan MooreRyan Moore
© Photo Healy Racing

Aidan O'Brien expects Ryan Moore to partner Mendelssohn in the Kentucky Derby over riding in the Qipco 2000 Guineas.

Moore has had a long-held ambition to win the Churchill Downs spectacular, and appears to have every chance after Mendelssohn put up a breathtaking performance in running away with the UAE Derby at Meydan last month.

Moore's presence in America would leave O'Brien needing to finalise jockey plans for favourite Saxon Warrior at Newmarket on the same day, together with recent Leopardstown scorer Gustav Klimt and US Navy Flag.

The Ballydoyle trainer told At The Races: "I think it was (straightforward) for Ryan. He was always fascinated by the Kentucky Derby and obviously this horse (Mendelssohn) was coming along lovely last year.

"He went through the winter well and his first two runs were lovely, so that (Kentucky Derby) is what Ryan is thinking at the moment, obviously things can change but that's the way he's thinking at the moment."

O'Brien added on his Guineas runners: "They seem to be coming along, hopefully the Leopardstown horse (Gustav Klimt) and the Racing Post Trophy horse (Saxon Warrior) are coming along, they are so far coming good.

"US Navy Flag is progressing a lot from Leopardstown, and whether he'll go there or France we're not sure.

"So far, so good."