Ryan Moore expected to partner UAE Derby winner Mendelssohn in the Kentucky Derby

AIDAN O'BRIEN has indicated he expects Ryan Moore to miss the first British Classic of the season to ride Mendelssohn in the Kentucky Derby.

World class jockey Moore has had a long-held ambition to win the famous race at Churchill Down, and appears to hold a terrific chance with UAE Derby winning Mendelssohn.

Moore's presence stateside on May 5 would leave him unavailable to ride in the Qipco 2000 Guineas at Newmarket for which O'Brien's Gustav Klimt and Saxon Warrior sit at the top of the market.

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."

One of Ballydoyle's stars, Order Of St George, made a winning return under Moore in the Vintage Crop Stakes at Navan at prohibitive odds of 2-9.

The 2016 Ascot Gold Cup winner will be targeted at the Saval Beg at Leopardstown on May 25.