French Derby winner Almanzor is on course for the Qipco Irish Champion Stakes at Leopardstown on September 10.

The Jean Claude-Rouget-trained colt will bring an exciting dimension to the Group One over a mile and a quarter after connections confirmed a trip to Ireland was firmly on his radar.

Almanzor warmed up for the Irish Champion Stakes with a one-length defeat of Zarak in the Group Two Prix Guillaume d'Ornano at Deauville on August 15.

Sylvain Vidal, racing manager for joint-owner Gerard Augustin-Normand, said: "Everything has gone very well after Deauville - he's perfect, in fact.

"We hope to keep him very well and send him to Ireland next time.

"That is the plan and it is very exciting."