French 2000 Guineas hero The Gurkha is likely to sidestep the Investec Derby and instead head to Royal Ascot to contest the St James's Palace Stakes.
The Galileo colt was a brilliant winner at Deauville last weekend and after Air Force Blue disappointed in the Irish 2,000 Guineas on Saturday, trainer Aidan O'Brien is set to let The Gurkha take on his fellow star three-year-olds over a mile in Berkshire.
Air Force Blue, who also failed to fire in the 2000 Guineas at Newmarket earlier in the month, is set to come back in distance for the Commonwealth Cup.
O'Brien said: "I'm not sure, but I'd imagine we're looking at Ascot (for The Gurkha).
"We felt that what happened (to Air Force Blue at the Curragh) could happen and it did. We've always felt that he (The Gurkha) could then switch in for that (St James's Palace).
"The other horse could come back to six furlongs. He wanted to go fast on Saturday and I've no doubt he didn't stay.
"He's a fast horse. We'll discuss it, but he's more than likely going to go for the six-furlong race (Commonwealth Cup)."
