One time leading Derby hope Amedeo Modigliani set to return this month

Amedeo Modigliani, who was prominent in the betting for the Derby early in the year before meeting with a setback, is likely to make a belated start to his season this month.

Trainer Aidan O'Brien reported: "Amedeo Modigliani is on the way back and we're looking at starting him off in the Group 3 Royal Whip Stakes over a mile and a quarter at the Curragh on August 26."

The colt, who holds several Group 1 entries, ran twice last year, winning a mile maiden at the Galway festival by five and a half lengths on his second start.

The Ballydoyle handler added: "He looked an exciting horse when winning at Galway last year and we have always thought a lot of him so we're looking forward to getting him back."

The Manguard Plus-sponsored Royal Whip Stakes may also feature the return of last year's Irish Derby and Doncaster St Leger winner Capri, who has run only once this season when winning the Group 3 Alleged Stakes at Naas in April.

O'Brien said: "Capri should be ready to run in the next few weeks. He could start back in the Royal Whip or in one of the Arc trials at Longchamp next month."

Clemmie, who has failed to win in three starts this year after meeting with a setback which ruled her out of the 1,000 Guineas, for which she was favourite, is being aimed at the Group 1 Matron Stakes at Leopardstown next month.

O'Brien said: "The Matron is the plan for Clemmie, who ran her best race of the season when third in the Falmouth Stakes last month."

The trainer added that July Cup winner US Navy Flag will go straight for The Everest, the AUS$13 million (£7.4m/€8.3m) sprint at Randwick in Sydney on October 13.

"US Navy Flag won't have another run before heading to Australia," said O'Brien. "We'll probably give him a racecourse gallop somewhere before he goes into quarantine."

Read exclusive previews from 6pm daily on racingpost.com