Galileo heads for Ascot

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, runnerup 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.'