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Former Irish galloper Rostropovich has pleased Lindsay Park with his placing in the JRA Cup at The Valley.

After time in the wilderness through injury, Rostropovich gave a sign he was back near his best form with a third-place finish at The Valley last Friday night. 

Rostropovich has been winless since Leopardstown in September 2018 and in 12 starts since has finished in the placings just once, in the Group 3 JRA Cup (2040m) at The Valley last Friday night. 

Joining Lindsay Park in 2019, Rostropovich suffered a fractured pelvis in the 2019 Melbourne Cup and spent 16 months away from the racetrack. 

Friday night's placing was his fifth outing back and has set the Ben and JD Hayes-trained galloper up for some staying contests in the coming months. 

Ben Hayes said Rostropovich was likely to head to the Group 2 Herbert Power Stakes (2400m) at Caulfield on October 9. 

While holding an entry for the Caulfield Cup (2400m) on October 16 and the Melbourne Cup (3200m) on November 2, Hayes said the stayer was unlikely to head to those races. 

He said the Group 2 Moonee Valley Gold Cup (2500m) on October 23 looked a suitable option. 

"It's good prize money ($1 million) this year and depending on how he goes there will determine which way he heads," Hayes said. 

"He's not qualified for the Cups, but there is a nice race at Flemington on the final day, the (Group 3) Queen Elizabeth Stakes over 2600 metres. 

"That's a lovely option for him but there's plenty of other options for him now that he's back in form. 

"It is just a big thrill for the yard, all the owners just to see him race competitively again and show what he can really do. 

"It felt like a win after he ran so well. 

"The way he ran on Friday night, he'll be winning a nice race soon."