THE Qatar Glorious Goodwood meeting which begins on Tuesday week, August 1st, will feature another fascinating duel as Aidan O’Brien has confirmed that Guineas hero Churchill will take on the Lockinge and Queen Anne winner Ribchester in another Coolmore versus Godolphin clash.

Churchill put up a disappointing performance at Royal Ascot when only fourth behind Barney Roy in the St James’s Palace but Aidan O’Brien is believes there were valid excuses for the defeat.

“He’s come out of Ascot well and the plan is to go for the Sussex. I’m very happy with him and he’s been very well since Ascot. Nothing’s come to light, it was a very hot day in Ireland and in England and maybe it was a combination of the travel and the warm weather, but I don’t want to make excuses. He seems in very good form,” O’Brien said earlier this week.

Ribchester’s trainer Richard Fahey is looking forward to the match-up. “We have been very happy with Ribchester since Royal Ascot. Everything has gone according to plan with no issues.”

Ribchester is the current favourite at 11/10 with Churchill best priced at 7/4.

Aidan O’Brien also confirmed three-time Group 1 winner Winter would run in the Nassau Stakes the following day.

There will no repeat of the thrilling finish to the Gold Cup at Ascot as the trainer revealed that Order Of St George will not take on his narrow Ascot conqueror, Big Orange, who is going from a third consecutive Qatar Goodwood Cup, now a Group 1 race, on the opening afternoon.

SUMMER BREAK

He explained: “Order Of St George will miss Goodwood and we have decided to be represented by US Army Ranger. He is having a little bit of a mid-summer break.

He will probably have a prep for the Irish Leger and then have an autumn campaign.”

At the Goodwood press conference, Kevin Buckley, Coolmore’s British-based representative, talked about the other possible Coolmore runners during the Qatar Goodwood Festival.

He said: “At this stage on the first day in the Qatar Vintage Stakes, we could potentially see The Pentagon, who was very impressive in Ireland on Saturday.

“The Qatar Richmond Stakes (Thursday) could be the target for US Navy Flag, second in the July Stakes last week. We would have a look at the Qatar Lennox Stakes for Spirit Of Valor.

“I imagine that Lancaster Bomber will team up with Churchill for the Qatar Sussex Stakes. Looking at the Friday, I could see Washington DC in the Qatar King George Stakes.