Aidan O'Brien getting Ten Sovereigns ready to tackle world's richest turf race

A tilt at the richest turf race in the world is firmly on the agenda for July Cup winner Ten Sovereigns, who has entered quarantine in preparation for next month's TAB Everest in Australia.

Aidan O'Brien's high-class three-year-old bypassed last month's Sprint Cup engagement at Haydock due to unsuitably soft ground but is set to tackle the A$14 million (£7.6m/€8.6m) prize at Randwick next month.

Former stablemate US Navy Flag was out of luck in his three southern hemisphere starts last term after a fruitful European campaign earlier in the season. But that has not deterred O'Brien, who said: "Ten Sovereigns has gone into quarantine and the plan is for him to run in the Everest.

"If the ground happened to turn soft, he could go to Melbourne where he has the option of some of the sprints there."

Last season's Middle Park Stakes winner finished sixth to Battaash on his first attempt at five furlongs in the Nunthorpe last time, but will step back up to six for the Everest.

Ten Sovereigns with groom David Hickey after winning the Darley July CupCredit: Edward Whitaker

He is as big as 16-1 for the Randwick centrepiece on Saturday, October 19, the market for which is headed by Santa Ana Lane and Pierata.

O'Brien, who was just touched off in the 2017 Melbourne Cup with second-placed Johannes Vermeer, has plenty of strong entries in some of the leading races during the Spring Carnival, but decisions on which runners head into quarantine will be made later this week.

"Ten Sovereigns is the only one in quarantine," he said. "None of the others need to go in yet."

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