Aidan O’Brien has revealed that his top-class juvenile, The Lion In Winter, will be trained with the Dante Stakes at York in mind for his reappearance.

A commanding winner on debut at the Curragh, The Lion In Winter had been gearing up for a crack at the 2000 Guineas at Newmarket in May following his impressive success in the Group 3 Acomb Stakes last season.

However, the 2000 Guineas ante-post market leader was ruled out by Aidan O'Brien when speaking to the press last month, leaving connections eyeing a return crack at the Al Basti Equiworld Dubai Dante Stakes in mid-May.

"The Lion In Winter will not go for the Guineas and will instead start off it the Dante at York, where he should be around 80 to 90 per cent," said O'Brien. "He is a medium-sized horse and has done well over the winter. He is straightforward, not slow being by Sea The Stars he should stay very well.

"We are very happy with him, and if York goes well, the Derby would probably be the plan."

As you so often expect, The Lion In Winter isn't the only horse in the Ballydoyle camp being geared up for this season's Epsom Derby, with both Delacroix and Twain also in the reckoning, although the latter's participation will depend on his performance in the 2000 Guineas.

O'Brien added: "Delacroix, who won the Ballysax Stakes, could now go for the Derrinstown and could also be a Derby horse.

"If Twain won the Guineas, there is a good chance 'The Lads' will want to go for the Derby with him as well for obvious reasons.

"With his pedigree, there is every chance he should stay the Derby trip if all goes well in the Guineas."