Breeders' Cup aim for Royal Ascot winner Rashabar as Brian Meehan considers Group 1 options in Ireland and France

Brian Meehan has identified the Breeders' Cup as the main target for top two-year-old Rashabar with options in Ireland and France being considered beforehand.

The Holy Roman Emperor colt proved his 80-1 Coventry Stakes win was no fluke when a three-quarter-length second to Whistlejacket in the Prix Morny at Deauville in August.

He could head back across the channel to contest the Qatar Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere on Arc day next with that Group 1 a possible option, along with the Goffs Vincent O'Brien National Stakes at the Irish Champions Festival on Sunday week.

The prime aim, though, is the $1 million (£760,760) Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf at Del Mar on November 1. It will be a return to North America's flagship's meeting for Meehan, who enjoyed a breakthrough winner in the Breeders' Cup Turf 18 years ago with Red Rocks. He won the race again four years later with Dangerous Midge.

Meehan said of Rashabar: "The Breeders' Cup is very much on our radar and the National Stakes will work well before that.

"He's great and I think we'll go for the National Stakes at the Curragh, but the Lagardere would also be a possibility. We'll make a decision soon.

"We're really happy with how he's done since Deauville. The Prix Morny was a great race, but he's a very good horse who ran a blinder. He wasn't drawn in a good spot and I'd say it cost him the race."

The form of Rashabar's Coventry Stakes win has been boosted by fourth-placed Cool Hoof Luke going on to win the Gimcrack at York last month. The fifth Al Qudra also won on his next start in the Listed Pat Eddery Stakes at Ascot.

Read these next:

Leading fancy Crystal Black not among Melbourne Cup entries - but Willie Mullins and Henry de Bromhead have contenders  

You can't park there! Chaos in French race as runners swerve to avoid car on approach to fence  

Racing Post Members' Club: 50% off your first three months 

Looking for free bets? Racing Post have got the best offers, all in one place. Visit racingpost.com/freebets to find out more