Aidan O'Brien is gearing up for Newmarket's Champion Stakes fixture and the Breeders Cup in New York, but one of the Ballydoyle stars that will not be featuring at either meeting is Milan.
The St Leger winner finished only fifth behind the rampant Sakhee in Sunday's Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe but could yet try for compensation in the French highlight next year.
"Milan probably won't run again this season, but the plan is for him to remain in training as a four-year-old," O'Brien said yesterday.
Despite Milan's defeat, the Ballydoyle team emerged from Longchamp with an 18th Group victory of the season after Rock Of Gibralter's scintillating success in the Grand Criterium, and the colt may not be finished for the season.
"We will wait and see about Rock Of Gibralter, give him a week and decide then about another race or if we'll let him off," O'Brien said. "He's still in the Dewhurst and all the horses left in that race are possibles."
The National Stakes winner Hawk Wing reportedly remains the most likely candidate for the Dewhurst, as Johannesburg looks set to be part of the O'Brien team for Belmont Park in 18 days.
"Nothing is finalised completely yet for the Breeders Cup, but Black Minnaloushe is a possible for the Classic, along with Galileo. Johannesburg could run in the Juvenile and Bach is a possible for the mile," said O'Brien.
The Coolmore-Ballydoyle focus today will be on the start of the Goffs Premier Yearling Sale in Kill rather than at the low-key fixture at Fairyhouse.
However, Michael Kinane will be at the Meath track for the ride on Tortue in the nine-furlong handicap. The Galway winner has been raised 5lb in the ratings and marginal preference is for Ceann Amhain Eile, who races in the Vinnie Roe colours of film director Jim Sheridan.
The suspension that John Murtagh picked up in Canada could cost the former champion again as the John Oxx-trained pair of Munda Nai and Dear Catch look to hold reasonable chances in the first two races.
Mr Mister is the top rated in the apprentice claimer but Michael Grassick has a fine record in these kind of races and the Curragh trainer could have the answer to this with the Down Royal runner-up Kings Opera.
Irish Grand National hero Davids Lad continued where he left off last season with a convincing victory on his seasonal debut in the four-runner Roscommon Chase over two miles yesterday. Partnered by Timmy Murphy, stable jockey to Paul Nicholls in Somerset, the 6 to 4 chance quickened up nicely after the last to sweep past Feathered Leader for a five-length victory.
