York may be next for Hawk Wing

Aidan O`Brien today reported his Coral Eurobet Eclipse Stakes winner Hawk Wing none the worse for his Sandown exertions but will hang fire before making a decision on the Woodman colt`s next outing.

However, although the Ballydoyle maestro refused to rule out Ascot`s King George and Queen Elizabeth Diamond Stakes it seems more likely that Hawk Wing will make his next appearance in the Juddmonte International at York next month.

Speaking at the party to celebrate the achievements of Champion Hurdler Istabraq held at owner J P McManus`s Martinstown Stud, O`Brien commented: 'Hawk Wing was led out for a walk this morning and seems to have taken his race well.

'The run at Epsom in soft ground and again yesterday when it was testing enough might have flattened him a bit so we will see how he is in a week or two.

'It would be wrong to rule him out of the King George at this stage though I think it would be more likely that he would wait for the International at York.

'I don`t think dropping him back or going forward in trip would be a problem once he gets the fast ground he needs.'

Yesterday`s big race saw O`Brien strike with yet another Group 1 one-two with Sholokhov repeating last week`s Budweiser Irish Derby feat of following a more illustrious stable mate across the line in second.

He too returned to Ballydoyle in good fettle and although plans are in the air for the Sadler`s Wells colt his trainer feels success will not be long in coming.

'Sholokhov is good too this morning but we don`t know yet where we will be going next although there is a good race in him somewhere this season,' he said.

Meanwhile O`Brien may be triple-handed in Thursday`s July Cup with market leader Landseer likely to be joined by Sahara Desert or Moderno or both.

'Landseer is dropping back from a mile to sprinting and its a big ask but we thought it was the way to go as he has won a Coventry Stakes at Royal Ascot over six furlongs and has plenty of pace.

'It was either that or asking him to run again against Rock of Gibraltar and maybe living in his shadow.

'Rock Of Gibraltar is still on target for the Sussex at Goodwood as he has had a little break after Ascot,' O`Brien added.

Next week`s Irish Oaks is also likely to be well attended by O`Brien representatives with Vodafone Oaks runner up Quarter Moon heading a string which also includes Starbourne and Kournakova.

'Quarter Moon is in good form and we are hoping for a big run,' he concluded.