Fine Form
The Juddmonte International is being billed as a big dust up between two of the best 10-furlong horses in Europe, but
Ombudsman YO – 3.35
is a strong fancy to see off Constitution River at York.
John and Thady Gosden’s five-year-old won this race 12 months ago in fantastic style from another Aidan O’Brien-trained three-year-old in Delacroix, and a similarly dominant display could be in the offing.
Just like Delacroix, Constitution River won the Eclipse on his last outing, and there is no denying he was very impressive in doing so.
However, in beating A Boy Named Susie by three lengths, useful though that one is, he has achieved nowhere near what Ombudsman has.
Admittedly, we have a much shorter body of work on which to judge the younger horse, but official ratings say he has 8lb to find and while he gets 7lb on the weight-for-age scale, he is going to have to eke out a bit more.
Ombudsman looked exceptional at Royal Ascot in the Prince of Wales’s Stakes, where he beat Arc runner-up Minnie Hauk by four lengths with Arc hero Daryz another length and three-quarters away in third.
He should just be reaching his peak at five. So many of these top-class horses never get to show it, but he has the opportunity and those on the Knavesmire could see something special.
The Sky Bet Great Voltigeur Stakes sees a rematch from the first two in the Derby with Christmas Day and Maltese Cross clashing again, but both have to shoulder a 5lb penalty.
With that in mind, this might be the day O’Brien’s
Pierre Bonnard YO – 3.00
delivers on the promise he showed last year.
All the paddock watchers were in awe of him when he turned up at Newmarket last autumn for the Zetland Stakes, which he duly won.
He went on to follow up in Group One company in France, beating A Boy Named Susie by two lengths in the Criterium de Saint-Cloud, form the runner-up has continually franked.
Well fancied for the Derby through the winter, he did not look the same horse when beaten in two Derby trials at Leopardstown and he finished only midfield at Epsom.
However, he ran stablemate Benvenuto Cellini to two lengths in the Irish Derby and might just be coming to the boil.
Alfred Wallace YO – 2.25
looked smart when coming with a well-timed run to land the Listed Pat Eddery Stakes at Ascot last time and while others may have more scope further down the line, he looks a two-year-old at the top of his game right now.
Ed Walker’s Dubawi colt is beautifully bred, being out of top-class racemare Snow Lantern, and he showed a potent turn of foot to beat the promising Silver Dominion last time who was second in a Group race in France at the weekend.
Against a field which does not look to be hiding a superstar he should make a bold bid in the Tattersalls Acomb Stakes.
Stratusnine YO – 1.50
continues to run with credit despite edging up the weights and he might find things a bit easier in the Hong Kong Jockey Club World Pool Handicap than when second in the Stewards’ Cup last time out.
Hugo Palmer’s four-year-old has a win and three seconds to his name at York and even though he is off a lofty mark of 104, he at least looks guaranteed to run well.
Joseph O’Brien has been the man to follow in staying handicaps this season and his
Small Fry YO – 4.10
can prove anything but in the Sky Bet Stayers Handicap.
Sixth behind stablemate Kizlyar in the Ascot Stakes, he was then an unlucky loser at Goodwood when second to Hopewell Rock.
That was over a mile and three-quarters but another couple of furlongs should suit.
Naana’s Shadow YO – 4.45
can outclass her rivals off top-weight in the Irish Thoroughbred Marketing Handicap.
She has been a revelation for Katie Scott since being bought for 20,000 guineas, winning four times including a valuable event at Goodwood last time out.
Up 8lb for that life will be tougher, but she is still in against her own age group.
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