Winkle may not return until Ascot

Rip Van Winkle may not make his first appearance of the season until Royal Ascot if he does not start in next month's Lockinge Stakes.

Last year's Sussex Stakes and QEII winner is one of a number of smart horses for whom Aidan O'Brien is currently mapping out plans.

"Rip Van Winkle is is well, he will either start in the Juddmonte Lockinge at Newbury or could go straight to the Prince of Wales Stakes or the Queen Anne Stakes at Royal Ascot," the master of Ballydoyle told www.aidanobrien.ie.

O'Brien has slightly altered plans for last year's Irish Derby winner Fame And Glory, who was only third on his return in a Listed race at the Curragh on Sunday.

He continued: "Fame And Glory came out of his race well, he might go to the High Chaparral Mooresbridge Stakes at the Curragh next as the Prix Ganay might just come a little bit too soon for him."

Of several other older horses, O'Brien reported: "Starspangledbanner (an Australian import) did his first canter on the grass this morning and we were very happy with him.

"We are hoping to have him ready for a run in the Duke of York Blue Square Stakes at York.

"Age Of Aquarius is well, he had a little hold-up with a bruised foot but, everything going well, he might start back in the Boodles Ormonde Stakes at Chester."

O'Brien had an updated bulletin on some of the Classic crop, too.

He continued: "Cabaret is back cantering after a little break, she might start back in the Tattersalls Musidora stakes in York.

"Alfred Nobel will probably have his next run in the Weatherbys Greenlands stakes at the Curragh.

"Cape Blanco is in good form, he is possible to start back in the totesport.com Dante Stakes at York.

"Mikhail Glinka is in good form, he will probably have his first run in the PW McGrath Memorial Ballysax at Leopardstown (on Sunday)."