Derby hero Anthony Van Dyck to spearhead O'Brien's Hong Kong team

Derby winner Anthony Van Dyck will spearhead Aidan O'Brien's team for next month's Hong Kong international meeting, with the three-year-old bidding to end his season on a high note after a luckless run in the Breeders' Cup Turf.

Magical, who O'Brien stated would be retired when she was ruled out of the Breeders' Cup Turf after running a slight temperature, was also flagged as a possible runner when her name appeared as having been selected for the Longines Hong Kong Cup in a Hong Kong Jockey Club press bulletin on Tuesday.

However, the Racing Post understands there has been no change of plan for the four-time Group 1 winner and that her racing career is over, with a covering date with No Nay Never top of her agenda.

Anthony Van Dyck finished a creditable third to Bricks And Mortar at Santa Anita this month and is on course to tackle the Longines Hong Kong Vase with stablemate Mount Everest, who wasn't beaten far when sixth in the same contest.

Recent Mackinnon Stakes winner Magic Wand looks set to represent the Ballydoyle handler in the HK$93 million (£9.2 million) Longines Hong Kong Cup, with Japan's star mare Almond Eye setting the standard after last month's impressive Tenno Sho success.

O'Brien said: "The plan is for Anthony Van Dyck and Mount Everest to run in the Vase after their runs at the Breeders' Cup. Magic Wand could run in the Cup."

He added of Circus Maximus, who was among the contenders revealed on Wednesday for the Hong Kong Mile: "He's off for the year and hopefully we'll have him back as a four-year-old."

O'Brien most recently tasted success at the prestigious fixture with Highland Reel in 2017 when the globetrotting giant landed the Hong Kong Vase.

There are four challengers from Britain, with Zaaki in the Mile and Aspetar, Prince Of Arran and Young Rascal in the Vase, in which the Willie Mullins-trained True Self is another possible.

Andrew Harding, Hong Kong Jockey Club executive director of racing, said: "We are delighted with the quality of the selected runners for this year's Longines Hong Kong International Races."

Did you know you can bet via the Racing Post mobile app/website? Simply sign in with your favourite bookmaker via the Accounts button and then bet direct from our racecards