Adam Williams presents his prediction for the York 1m2½f Juddmonte International Stakes (Group 1) (Class 1) (3yo+) horse racing event.
Pride Of Arras finished last in the Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud (Group 1), won by Calandagan, before taking second in the York Stakes (Group 2), where he was beaten by Item.
French raider Zaydann will be racing away from home for the first time. He has won the 104eme Grand Prix de Bordeaux (Listed Race) and the Grand Prix de Vichy (Group 3) this year, but has yet to test himself in stronger company and faces a difficult task here.
Almaqam won the Gold Cup (Group 1) in Ireland and finished fourth behind Ombudsman in the Prince Of Wales's Stakes (Group 1). He is a strong contender for a prominent finish here, although victory may be beyond him.
Item has already won twice at York this year, landing the Dante Stakes (Group 2) and the aforementioned York Stakes (Group 2). In between, he endured a disappointing run in the Epsom Derby, finishing ninth. He has plenty of potential and clearly enjoys this track. With a little luck, he could mount a serious challenge.
Action will act as pacemaker for his stablemates Hawk Mountain and, more importantly, Constitution River. His best result this year was second place in the Dante Stakes (Group 2), while on his last three starts, the Epsom Derby, Irish Derby and King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot, his role was to set the pace for his stable's leading contenders.
Hawk Mountain won the Prix de Guiche (Group 3) at Chantilly early in the season before finishing second in the Prix du Jockey Club (Group 1) and third in the Coral Eclipse (Group 1), with Constitution River winning on both occasions. It appears Aidan O'Brien and the Coolmore team have decided to provide some extra support for their principal contender.
Constitution River is the leading hope from Aidan O'Brien's yard. He has won five of his six career starts, with his only defeat coming when second on debut last year. This season he has completed a hat trick over middle distances, winning the Dee Stakes (Listed Race), the Prix du Jockey Club at Chantilly and the Coral Eclipse. He has every chance of extending that winning sequence, although he faces a formidable rival who is two years his senior.
John and Thady Gosden have also decided to field a pacemaker for their leading contender, with Devil's Advocate handed that role. He finished second in the Magnolia Stakes (Listed Race) on the all weather at Kempton before making a couple of appearances at Group level, finishing fourth in the Gordon Richards Stakes (Group 3) and second last in the Prince Of Wales's Stakes (Group 1), where he also set the pace for eventual winner Ombudsman.
Ombudsman is the Gosdens' leading contender and the defending champion in this race. He has won the Dubai Turf (Group 1) on turf, the Brigadier Gerard Stakes (Group 3) and, for the second year running, the Prince Of Wales's Stakes (Group 1) at Royal Ascot this season. At Ascot, he beat Minnie Hauk by four lengths, the widest winning margin of his career. The main storyline here is his showdown with three year old champion Constitution River, and we are siding with Ombudsman at 5/6 with bet365.
