North Light, who also finished second to Grey Swallow in the Irish Derby and fifth to Bago in the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, could clash with those old rivals again in Kildare.

Stoute told the Racing Post: “North Light is on course to run in the Tattersalls Gold Cup and will not be heading to Epsom.

“I don’t know yet whether he’ll be aimed at the King George – let’s get round one in Ireland out of the way first.”