O'Brien yet to decide on trio

Aidan O'Brien will rely on up to three high-class milers to retain the Sussex Stakes crown gained for him by Giant's Causeway last year.

The Ballydoyle handler described Black Minnaloushe, King Charlemagne and Mull Of Kintyre as "at the top of my list" from his initial entry of 14 for the £275,000 Group One event at Glorious Goodwood next Wednesday.

But neither his 2,000 Guineas fourth, Minardi, nor French 1,000 Guineas heroine, Rose Gypsy, will line up.

"I may have more than one runner in the Sussex, but I haven't decided yet among the three at the top of my list," he said. "I was pleased with King Charlemagne's latest run 11 days ago in the Minstrel Stakes when he beat Mull Of Kintyre. They're closely matched.

"I'm not worried about dropping down two furlongs to a mile with Black Minnaloushe after he finished fifth in the Eclipse - he's an Irish 2,000 Guineas and St James's Palace Stakes winner, after all, and Goodwood's mile isn't that sharp."

Meanwhile, Ed Dunlop could again be double-handed in a Group One fillies' event after celebrating a remarkable one-two with Lailani and Mot Juste in the Irish Oaks 11 days ago. Lailani may be on duty again, this time with stablemate Cayman Sunset, in the Vodafone Nassau Stakes on Saturday week.

The in-form Newmarket trainer said his Irish Oaks duo had both come out of their race "exceptionally well", but Mot Juste will not be confirmed for Goodwood's 12-furlong contest at next Monday's five-day stage. Her potential targets include the Yorkshire Oaks and Doncaster's Park Hill Stakes.

Lailani is only a possible for Goodwood, with plans very much fluid for this highly progressive filly who has made the transition from handicap company to Group One winner in five unbeaten starts this season.

The Yorkshire Oaks or even Prix Vermeille and Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe are also under consideration.

But four-year-old Cayman Sunset, who fell victim to the slow pace when only seventh in the Falmouth Stakes last time, is a definite Nassau contender.

Dunlop added that Surprise Encounter, who will not be ready in time to tackle Saturday's Tote International at Ascot, is on course for Goodwood's William Hill Mile next Thursday. Stablemate Soviet Flash may accompany him or else tackle a Salisbury Listed event that same month.