Ribchester skips Jacques le Marois to wait for Queen Elizabeth II Stakes

Deauville's loss could be Del Mar's gain after trainer Richard Fahey revealed Ribchester would miss Deauville this weekend and may be aimed at the Breeders' Cup Mile.

Godolphin's standard-bearer had been under consideration for a trip to France this Sunday, seeking a third Group 1 victory of the year in the Prix du Haras de Fresnay-le-Buffard Jacques le Marois. But that would have come just 11 days after the colt's shock defeat in the Sussex Stakes on soft ground at Goodwood.

The star miler will now be given a short rest with a view to resuming in the Qipco Queen Elizabeth II Stakes at Ascot on October 21, and that could be followed by a crack at the Breeders' Cup Mile at Del Mar in California on November 4.

Fahey said: "He's fine, there's not a bother on him but we're going to give him a little break and get him ready for the QEII. All being well we might take him to America. The Breeders' Cup Mile could be something to look forward to."

Ribchester, who won the Marois last year and was then runner-up to Minding in the QEII, began his 2017 campaign by finishing third in the Dubai Turf at Meydan in March but has since won the Lockinge at Newbury and the Queen Anne at Royal Ascot

"He's been on the go for a while," added Fahey. "We'll see how we get on at Ascot. We're very happy with him but we thought if he got beaten at Deauville it wouldn't be ideal, and 11 days isn't ideal, especially on that ground."

Godolphin are still likely to be double-handed in the Marois, through Prix Jean Prat winner Thunder Snow and dual Group 3 scorer The owners' Barney Roy remains among the entries but is due to run next in the Juddmonte International at York.

Queen Elizabeth II Stakes entries