The fantastic Rip Van Winkle has been described as returning from his excursions in the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes as the "best he has ever been" after a race following his victory on Saturday.

The Sussex Stakes winner is finally beginning to prove himself as one of the best horses in the world and he is beginning to justify the confidence of his jockey and trainer.

Aidan O’Brien now wants to take the horse to the Breeders’ Cup Classic, admitting that he feels he is training a "very special colt".

Made joint-favourite with Sea The Stars for the Santa Anita showpiece after victory over Zacinto at Ascot on Saturday, Rip Van Winkle could also be joined in the race by his four-time Group 1 winning stablemate Mastercraftsman.

"Rip Van Winkle was fine this morning and it's the best he has been after any of his races this year," said O'Brien. "We will see how he is over the next few weeks and look at running him in the Breeders' Cup Classic.

"It is very possible that Mastercraftsman will run in the Classic, too, and we're looking at running him in the Group 3 Diamond Stakes at Dundalk on Friday night."

Septimus, who was last seen flopping in the Melbourne Cup, could also be heading to America as part of O'Brien’s team where he will likely contest the Breeders' Cup Marathon.

William Hill make Rip Van Winkle 7/2 to win the Breeders’ Cup Classic, while Mastercraftsman is 14/1 with the same firm.