Juddmonte International preview

Highlight of the meeting for most racing fans will be the Juddmonte International where the star 3yos take on the world at weight-for-age. It mightn't be a deep field but it does reek of quality. Even the rank outsider won a G1 just over a year ago.

Taking up the challenge in international racecalling prodigy, Luke Humphreys, @WorldRacingLuke.

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Juddmonte International Stakes
Group 1, £1,000,000, 1m2f56y
York 1535 BST, 0035 AEST

ODDS LISTED ARE BEST AVAILABLE AT TIME OF WRITING (TUESDAY AFTERNOON)

1 Decorated Knight (16/1): Much improved horse this season. Winning two G1s in the Jebel Hatta in Dubai and the Tattersall’s Gold Cup at the Curragh.

Career best performance two back when only finding Highland Reel too good in the Prince of Wales’s Stakes. However weakened out of the Eclipse last time out. Don’t discount him completely and whatever the result connections can be very pleased of his outstanding season.

2 My Dream Boat (40/1): Not the horse he once was and is nowhere as good on Firm ground as he is Soft which is a downfall here. Weakened right out of the King George last time, was a promising run in the G1 Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud behind Zarak before that.

3 Ulysses (10/3): Just seems to be getting better and better and better. Only poor run really was when he was too immature for the test of the Derby last year when bombing out. Four starts this year for two wins, a second and a third. The two wins we’re both over the 10f at Sandown in the G3 Gordon Richards and G1 Eclipse and then terrific runs in two of Ascot’s huge races the Prince of Wales’s Stakes and only found the mighty Enable too good in the King George.

Gun horse for Sir Michael Stoute, concedes weight as the 4yo against the classic generation.

4 Barney Roy (5/2): Cracking type for Godolphin and Richard Hannon. Very impressive when winning the G3 Greenham at Newbury before an unlucky second to Churchill in the Guineas. Reversed form with him at Royal Ascot in the St James' Palace and then came back right on the line to nearly land the Eclipse. Rattling good horse, every chance.

5 Churchill (3/1): All of his wins have been totally professional displays and at his best, definitely one of the best horses around. However was so disappointing at Royal Ascot for some unknown reason and hasn’t raced for nearly two months after that (withdrawn at Goodwood due to torrential rain). However has been totally brilliant in all of his four G1 wins, including two classics. Only my fifth selection but definitely can win, distance slight query.

6 Cliffs Of Moher (11/2): Won the Dee Stakes at Chester in dogged style but then ran a screamer in the Derby only to be run down late by Wings of Eagles. Had absolutely no luck in the Eclipse last time and that is a complete total forgive run. With the luck can win.

7 Shutter Speed (10/1): Officially the lowest rated runner in the field but she is still very good!! Gave Raheen House (G3 winner) and Enable (!) a beating on her seasonal debut at Newbury before winning the G3 Musidora and then only fourth in the G1 Prix de Diane (French Oaks). She was considered to be better than Enable only a couple of months ago so on that evidence you can forgive one below par effort, last time, and give her another chance.

Ratings: (4) BARNEY ROY - (3) ULYSSES - (7) SHUTTER SPEED - (6) CLIFFS OF MOHER - (5) CHURCHILL - (1) DECORATED KNIGHT - (2) MY DREAM BOAT

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