Last year’s Derby winner Ruler Of The World remains on course for a return to Epsom in the Coronation Cup.

The four-year-old disappointed in the Irish Derby following his career-defining victory last June and rounded off his year with a narrow defeat in the Champion Stakes at Ascot.

He was unable to make an impact in the Dubai World Cup at the end of March, but as many of his string were under the weather earlier in the year, trainer Aidan O’Brien is happy to forgive his charge that disappointing effort on Tapeta at Meydan.

“We were taking a bit of a chance in Dubai as he’d never raced on the surface but we felt it was worth the chance,” O’Brien said.

“The horses went to Dubai very healthy but maybe not as fit as other years with what had happened.”

Ruler Of The World is part of a strong team of older horses for Ballydoyle this season.

O’Brien confirmed last year’s Irish 2000 Guineas and Breeders’ Cup Turf winner Magician would take in the Tattersalls Gold Cup at The Curragh on Sunday week ahead of a potential trip to Royal Ascot for the Prince of Wales’s Stakes.

O’Brien has also welcomed two exciting two additions to the team in American ace Verrazano and crack French filly Chicquita.

The latter has not been seen in competitive action since winning the Irish Oaks for Alain de Royer-Dupre last July.

“Obviously she’s a very good filly,” O’Brien said.

“Her previous trainer was a very good trainer and I wouldn’t say we’ll improve her but if we got her back to that pitch we’d be very happy.”

O’Brien has the favourite for this year’s Derby, Australia, and his Oaks contenders are Tapestry and Bracelet.