St Leger winner Capri to be aimed at Group 1 Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe

TWO of the major Group 1 prizes will be on Capri's agenda this autumn, trainer Aidan O'Brien has revealed. 

The star four-year-old, who won last year's Irish Derby, will be aimed at the Irish Champion Stakes and Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe.

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It's been a slow year for the son of Galileo, who sustained a shoulder injury after returning in April to win the Alleged Stakes in good style.

However, despite not seeing a racecourse since then, his reputation has been enhanced from his horsebox, with the form of his victory in last year's St Leger looking phenomenally strong.

Crystal Ocean and Stradivarius, who finished second and third in that contest, are already Group winners this term, and Coronet, who was fifth, was beaten a nose in the Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud on Sunday.

In fourth was Rekindling, who won the Melbourne Cup last year, arguably one of the world's most competitive handicaps - and it's frightening to think how good Capri could turn out to be.

With that in mind, it's little wonder Aidan O'Brien is targeting two of the biggest races in the calendar with his talented grey.

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He said: "Capri is on the way back but won't be there until the autumn.

"He'll have a run or two before Leopardstown, I'd imagine, with the Arc in mind."

Another of O'Brien's battalion that could take up an Irish Champion Stakes engagement is 2,000 Guineas winner Saxon Warrior.

The three-year-old was disappointing when sent off an even-money favourite for the Irish Derby last week, but a drop in trip is on the cards.

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The trainer said: "He's good, not a bother on him.

He'll have a little rest now and he'll come back and be trained for the mile and a quarter races at York (Juddmonte International) and Leopardstown. That's the plan."

Jockey Ryan Moore, who's ridden the colt on all three of his starts this season, also believes a crack at a shorter distance will help the Group 1 winner.

He told At The Races:  "I'd have to say the Irish Derby was an improved run on Epsom.

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"He ran very well. Obviously it was disappointing he got beat, but it was a messy sort of a race really.