DANNY O’Brien believes Shamexpress, beaten into seventh place behind record-breaking winner Lethal Force in the July Cup at Newmarket overnight, needs to find three lengths to win a top international sprint.

O’Brien said Shamexpress had run up to his rating in both the King’s Stand and July Cup.

“He just needs to find three lengths to win a top Group 1 like this,” O’Brien told the Racing Post.

Shamexpress, a $21 chance, was beaten about five lengths by Lethal Force, who completed the Diamond Jubilee-July Cup double.

O’Brien said he had “no regrets” about campaigning Shamexpress in the UK.

“He ran really well, but the last 100 metres up that hill just caught him out,” he said.

Shamexpress will remain in training at Newmarket before entering quarantine for his return to Melbourne on the plane carrying the first shipment of international horses to Melbourne in late September.

O’Brien said the spring aim of Shamexpress is the Group 1 Patinack Farm Classic (1200m) at Flemington on the final day of the VRC spring carnival.