High-profile clash confirmed for York
Two of the season’s leading middle-distance performers remain on course for next Wednesday’s Juddmonte International at York, with Ombudsman and Constitution River among 10 horses confirmed at the six-day stage.
Ombudsman bids to defend Knavesmire crown
John and Thady Gosden’s Ombudsman arrives at York as the race’s most familiar recent winner, having taken the Juddmonte International on the Knavesmire 12 months ago. The four-year-old further enhanced his reputation this summer with a successful defence of the Prince of Wales’s Stakes at Royal Ascot and is being aimed at a bold return to York.
Classic-winning Constitution River to test the older generation
Aidan O’Brien’s Constitution River provides the principal three-year-old threat. The colt added the Prix du Jockey Club to his record before stepping up to defeat older rivals in the Coral-Eclipse at Sandown, form that underlines his credentials for a top-level contest on the Knavesmire.
Stable plans and supporting cast
Ombudsman will not travel alone: the Gosdens have also left in the pacemaker Devil’s Advocate. Ballydoyle has four entries, with Constitution River joined by Action, Causeway and Hawk Mountain.
Andrew Balding’s two-time York winner Item is among the other notable confirmations. The three-year-old added the Dante and later the York Stakes this season, having disappointed in this year’s Derby on soft ground. The French-trained Zaydann, who heads to York for Francis-Henri Graffard, completes the list of more prominent entries.
Connections weigh up the options
Those responsible for Zaydann have elected to take on a step up in class rather than wait for later-season targets. The colt, by Dubawi and closely related to Zarak through his dam line, has been consistent in France and connections are keen to establish his level before the autumn.
Ed Walker continues to keep Almaqam under consideration, though the trainer has acknowledged the colt’s preference for at least a touch of give in the ground — a factor that could influence his competitiveness on the prevailing forecast at York.
Wider picture
With a compact field confirmed at this stage, the Juddmonte International looks set to provide a genuine mid-summer test between the established older performer in Ombudsman and the progressive Classic winner from Ireland. Other entries include Pride Of Arras for Ralph Beckett, leaving the race with a measured blend of proven Group 1 form and up-and-coming talent.
Final declarations will follow in the days before the York meeting, but as it stands the card features a mouth-watering middle-distance contest that will be a key talking point for the remainder of the Flat season.
