CHURCHILL TO MAKE AMENDS
TODAY’S Juddmonte International Stakes is the centre-piece on the first day of York’s Ebor meeting that ends on Saturday.
There may be only seven runners but it brings together the Eclipse winner, Ulysses, and runner-up Barney Roy along with Churchill, who disappointed in the St James’s Palace Stakes which was won by Barney Roy.
Aidan O’Brien is still at a loss to understand what happened to Churchill at Royal Ascot but he feels, and so do I, that we will see the real CHURCHILL (3.35, nap) this afternoon on his first attempt at a mile and a quarter.
Before his Ascot hiccup, Churchill had been on a run of seven consecutive victories – four Group Ones which included a Guineas double.
The trainer has been very positive about his stable star and feels the step up in trip will see further improvement.
If Churchill delivers it will be O’Brien’s sixth success in the race.
The ground will be a great deal different to the slow surface that DEE EX BEE (2.25) ploughed through to score very easily on his Goodwood debut.
That was a very impressive performance and there is every reason to believe that he will handle today’s much faster conditions.
The ground is just a slight ® concern for CRACKSMAN (3.00), who stands out on form in the Group Two Great Voltigeur Stakes.
He sets the standard after his place finishes in both the English and Irish Derbys.
He will be tested despite this drop in class with both the lightly-raced Mirage Dancer and Venice Beach, who bounced back to form with a close third in a Group One in France, sure to expose any flaws.
The meeting starts with a very competitive sprint and A MOMENTOFMADNESS (1.55) is suggested.
He just failed to overhaul El Astronaute in an equally hot affair at Goodwood but has a 1lb pull today.
If he can use his early pace then he may be able to race prominently on a track that favours front-runners.
A visor is fitted to last year’s winner, Oceane, in the Fine Equinity Handicap but he will do well to repeat that success, off a 7lb higher mark. A chance is taken with SEAMOUR (4.15). He has not won for a couple of years but has posted some very solid performances in the interim. He was quietly fancied for the Northumberland Plate and was not beaten far behind Higher Power. Ben Robinson takes over this afternoon and he is well worth his allowance which could prove crucial. Easy Yarmouth winner HOPE IS HIGH (5.10, nb) is turned out quickly under a penalty and can follow up at Bath before she is re-assessed. Silvestre De Sousa, who gives York a miss, is again in the saddle.