Derby hero Camelot on course for comeback

By Nick Robson

LONDON, April 10 PA - Aidan O'Brien has mapped out an early-season plan for dual Derby winner Camelot that will culminate in an appearance at Royal Ascot.

Camelot also won the 2000 Guineas in a stellar three-year-old campaign and was just denied the Triple Crown by Encke in the St Leger before being unplaced in the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe.

Shortly after his trip to France he developed colic but has made a full recovery and was seen moving well in a public gallop at the Curragh recently.

"I've been delighted with him since he came back. He's shown all the speed and the class that he always had," O'Brien told At The Races.

"I'm really looking forward to him.

"I think he'll come back to the Curragh for the Mooresbridge (May 6), if everything then goes well hopefully he'll go to the Tattersalls (Gold Cup) and then he might go to the Prince of Wales's.

"If everything goes well that is what we are thinking for the early part of the season."

O'Brien also had news of his two Dubai winners, St Nicholas Abbey and Lines Of Battle.

"Races like the Coronation Cup and the King George are likely for St Nick. We experimented a bit last year with different ways of riding him and different trips but Joseph and Derrick (Smith) were adamant he wants to be ridden handy this year and that's what they did," said O'Brien.

"The plan for Lines Of Battle is the Kentucky Derby."