Group 2 winner Idaho given Goodwood Cup assignment by trainer Aidan O’Brien

AIDAN O’BRIEN has chosen to step Idaho up in trip for a crack at the Goodwood Cup later this month.

The former Derby runner-up will attempt a first Group 1 win in the two mile contest.

It’s been a struggle for the son of Galileo since he won the Hardwicke Stakes at Royal Ascot last year.

That performance, coupled with a third in the King George not long afterwards, had marked him out as one of the top middle-distance horses in the country.

However, since then he’s only managed to win one race – the Ormonde Stakes at Chester – and trainer Aidan O’Brien believes that a step up to staying distances will see him rediscover his best form.

The Goodwood Cup will be the first time the five-year-old has raced over two miles, but connections are confident he’ll be able to see it out.

O’Brien said: “The plan is to go to the Goodwood Cup with Idaho. We want to try him over the two miles and see. We always felt he would stay further than a mile and a half.

“We went beyond a mile and a half once and that was at Chester and he got that very well.”

As for the trainer’s more recognised stayer, Order Of St George, plans are currently on hold.

O’Brien added: “You won’t see him at Goodwood. He could appear in the King George if the rain came, but if it didn’t he will be left alone and have a prep for the Irish St Leger.

“He is in good form at home.”

With Stradivarius and Vazirabad also set to line up, the Sussex racecourse could bear witness to a cracking contest.