Roly set to shine in Sun Chariot as O'Brien outlines Champions Day targets

Aidan O'Brien confirmed Roly Poly an intended runner in the Kingdom of Bahrain Sun Chariot Stakes at Newmarket on Saturday, when the dual Group 1-winner will bid to give the Ballydoyle trainer a 23rd top level victory of the year.

Group 1 doubles at Newmarket on Saturday, courtesy of Clemmie and US Navy Flag, and at Chantilly on Sunday, when Happily and Rhododendron were successful, put O'Brien three short of the late Bobby Frankel's world record of 25 Grade 1 wins on the Flat in one year.

O'Brien said on Tuesday: "The plan is to run Roly Poly in the Sun Chariot on Saturday providing we're happy with her over the next few days."

O'Brien has twice won the Sun Chariot Stakes, with Halfway To Heaven in 2008 and Alice Springs a year ago.

After finishing second to stablemate Winter in both the Irish 1,000 Guineas and the Coronation Stakes, Roly Poly got on the Group 1 scoreboard when landing the Falmouth Stakes at Newmarket in July before going on to land the Prix de Rothschild at Deauville in August.

On her most recent start she finished sixth behind Hydrangea and Winter in the Matron Stakes at Leopardstown where she led until over one furlong from the finish.

Probable targets

According to O'Brien, Group 1 plans for the rest of the season for many of his other leading performers have yet to be decided.

He said: "We'll wait a bit longer and see how they've come out of their recent races.

"Winter will probably revert to a mile and a quarter in the Qipco Champion Stakes at Ascot.

Winter: dual Guineas winner could bow out in the Champion StakesCredit: Mark Cranham

"Churchill will either go for that race or the Queen Elizabeth Stakes.

"Caravaggio will probably go for the Champions Sprint Stakes at Ascot while we're looking at the Long Distance Cup for Order Of St George who ran very well in the Arc on Sunday. Meanwhile, September could go for the Fillies' Mile."