Aidan O’Brien to test waters with Capri in Prix Foy ahead of possible Arc agenda
Last year's St Leger hero hasn't been seen since April and will make long-awaited return in French Group 2
CAPRI will have his first start since April when lining up in the Prix Foy next weekend.
Aidan O'Brien will use the race as a rehearsal before deciding whether or not to have a tilt at the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe.
It's been a long road back for the son of Galileo, who picked up a shoulder injury after winning at Naas earlier in the season.
That was his one and only start since winning the St Leger last year, and although that was a good performance in a Group 3, it remains to be seen how much of his old ability remains.
However, O'Brien has brought his classy operator along slowly and now feels he's ready to return to the racecourse and ply his trade at the top level once again.
He said: "The plan with him is to go to France for the Prix Foy and then if that goes well, we might go back to the Arc.
"He had a racecourse gallop last week and he's been back in full work for about eight weeks."
With the form of last year's St Leger working out better than any Classic in recent times (Stradivarius, Crystal Ocean, Coronet and Rekindling all finished in behind), Capri's return has been one of the most highly anticipated this year.
O'Brien also had news of Queen's Vase winner Kew Gardens, who is on track for the St Leger next Saturday.
The three-year-old is already a Group 1 winner this season following his victory in the Grand Prix de Paris and produced a good performance to finish third in the Great Voltgieur last time out when carrying a 5lb penalty.
"I was delighted with Kew Gardens' run (at York).
"It was not ideal having a penalty, but we felt we had to have a run and we thought that was the perfect place to give him a prep.
"Ryan Moore was delighted with him and obviously he stays further. We always thought Doncaster would suit and hopefully the ground will be nice there."