Pat Smullen already has one eye on Champions Day for Forgotten Rules following his admirable effort in defeat in the Gold Cup at Royal Ascot.
The Dermot Weld-trained five-year-old lost his unbeaten record in Thursday's staying showpiece, but still finished a close third behind Trip To Paris.
Forgotten Rules won the Long Distance Cup on Champions Day last October and with the gelding more likely to get his conditions in the autumn, Smullen feels the race is the ideal target.
"The ground wasn't ideal, he's definitely a horse who's better with a bit more ease in the ground, but to be honest, he never really relaxed in the race with me," Smullen told Racing UK.
"To go two and a half miles at Group One level and get the distance, you have to get your horse to relax and really switch off and he never really did that with me. He paid the penalty in the last half-furlong.
"I don't think he needs two and a half miles. I think he's probably a real two-mile horse with an ease in the ground.
"I think he's a horse who'll be there for many years, with a bit of luck, if he stays healthy and sound.
"The boss was saying after the Irish Leger is an obvious race for him and I think he'd run very well in that, but I think the two miles with an ease in the ground on Champions Day back at Ascot is tailor-made for him."
