Aidan O'Brien considers new target for The Lion In Winter with Derby favourite set to miss €1m Curragh engagement

The standout juvenile this season is set to miss the Goffs Million at the Curragh on Saturday as Aidan O'Brien has revealed The Lion In Winter is likely to run in the Darley Dewhurst Stakes at Newmarket next month instead. 

The unbeaten son of Sea The Stars has been a revelation in his two starts this season, quickening up smartly to win a hot maiden at the Curragh before accounting for Wimbledon Hawkeye and Godolphin's highly touted Ruling Court in the Acomb Stakes at York's Ebor festival. 

That performance propelled him to the top of the market for two of next year's Classics. He is no bigger than 7-1, and as short as 5-1 with a lot of firms, for the 2,000 Guineas in 2024, while he is also priced between 5-1 and 7-1 for next year's Derby. 

It was intended that The Lion In Winter would have his next outing in Saturday's Goffs Million over seven furlongs, but a bruised foot could rule him out of that and point him in the direction of the Dewhurst instead, a race his trainer has won eight times. One more victory would make him the outright most successful trainer in the history of the race. 

O'Brien said on Tuesday evening: "The Lion In Winter might miss the race at the Curragh on Saturday and head to the Dewhurst instead. 

"He had a bit of a bruised foot last week so we're thinking he might go to the Dewhurst instead now."

The Lion In Winter, who already boasts a rating of 115, is the 15-8 favourite with bet365 for the Dewhurst on October 12.

Darley Dewhurst Stakes (Newmarket, October 12)

bet365: 15-8 The Lion In Winter, 6 Scorthy Champ, 7 Field Of Gold, Ancient Truth, 10 Henri Matisse, 16 bar

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