Aidan O’Brien has outlined the Classic itineraries for his elite band of three-year-olds, claiming Constitution River will spearhead his attack on Sunday's Prix du Jockey Club.

Speaking at the Curragh on Sunday, the Ballydoyle maestro revealed the impressive Dee Stakes winner will travel to Chantilly for the 2,100-metre French Derby alongside stablemates Hawk Mountain and Montreal. Constitution River currently heads the betting for the French Classic, with all three colts standing their ground in today's first forfeit stage.

As for the premier Epsom Derby over 2,400 metres next Saturday, O'Brien will rely on Chester Vase hero Benvenuto Cellini to lead the charge. The colt remains the firm favourite for the iconic Surrey Downs feature, currently sitting at 3.5 in the overseas reference markets.

He will be joined in the Epsom line-up by Pierre Bonnard, as well as Dante Stakes placegetters Action and Christmas Day. However, with several days still to go before final declarations, O'Brien added his customary caveat that the masterplan remains subject to change.

Besides, Aidan O'Brien remains far from despondent following Minnie Hauk's shock defeat in Sunday's Group One Tattersalls Gold Cup, attributing the odds-on favourite's lacklustre display to a tactical nightmare.

Speaking to Racing TV, O'Brien explained the race simply did not unfold to suit a true mile and a half filly. He noted that after a brisk opening three furlongs, jockey Ryan Moore made the correct initial decision to take his time. Unfortunately, the early tempo completely collapsed shortly after, leaving Moore trapped at the rear in a slowly run mile and a quarter contest.

When asked if the Prince of Wales's Stakes at Royal Ascot was still on the cards, he responded: "I think it's a good option. The lads will see what they want to do, but she will need an end-to-end gallop and I imagine if we go to Ascot the next time, we'd go forwards at the gate, there'd be no taking back, we wouldn't be taking a chance on the pace dropping away."

Image: Racing TV