James McDonald has six rides on the opening day of the Goodwood Festival but Melbourne Cup hopeful Antiquarium has been ruled out of the Cup later in the week.

McDonald rode Antiquarium to win the Northumberland Plate which prompted talk of a trip to Australia later this year.

Trainer Charlie Appleby said Antiquarium would miss Thursday's Group Two race because he had been treated for a minor injury.

Appleby said he hoped the four-year-old would be back in time for the prestigious Ebor Handicap on August 20.

McDonald's mounts on Tuesday (Wednesday AEST) include Dutch Connection in the Group Two Lennox Stakes.

Sydney's leading jockey has notched 15 winners during his stay in Britain and is expected to return to Australia next week.