Top Irish trainer Aidan O'Brien could send Duke of Marmalade to the new Great Leighs all-weather track for a Breeders' Cup warm-up on Saturday.

The Essex course is running a trials meeting for the big American card.

And O'Brien is considering giving five-time Group One-winner a prep race on the artificial surface ahead of the Breeders' Cup Classic in October.

Duke of Marmalade is one of 27 entries for the Thoroughbred Open Classic, a race worth £40,000 for horses of all ages.

O'Brien, who has also entered his regular pacemaker Red Rock Canyon at the weekend, has suggested Duke Of Marmalade's participation will depend on whether the colt is aimed at the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe on October 5 and the likely ground conditions at Longchamp.