Ulysses set for odyssey to US

● Breeder’s Cup for Juddmonte hero

All roads lead to the Breeders’ Cup for Ulysses following a top-class performance that put his younger rivals in the shade in the Juddmonte International Stakes at York.

Having finished second in the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth II Stakes, the Sir Michael Stoute-trained four-year-old claimed a second Group One of the season when making a successful switch back to a mile and a quarter to add to his victory in last month’s Coral-eclipse.

After early leader Cliffs Of Moher faded away it was dual 2000 Guineas winner Churchill and St James’s Palace Stakes hero Barney Roy – so narrowly beaten by Ulysses at Sandown – who traded blows.

But sitting patiently in behind was an almost motionless Jim Crowley aboard the son of Gailileo, waiting to pounce and make his move as late as possible.

Hitting the front around a furlong from home, the 4-1 scorer quickly asserted, crossing the line two lengths clear of Churchill, with his old rival Barney Roy back in third, giving Stoute a record-breaking sixth success.

Racebets halved Ulysses in price to 3-1 for the Breeders’ Cup Turf, in which he was fourth to Highland Reel last season.

Stoute said: “It all just went so smoothly and there was never a blip. I think it was his best performance to date.

“York is a different track to Sandown, it’s so level, and I never had any worries the way he was travelling. I think it’s time to give him a break and work backwards from the Breeders’ Cup Turf. The owners are keen to go for that. We’ll go home and work it out.”

Crowley said: “He seems to like being ridden with confidence. He is improving and today is the best feel I have got off him and he seems to be getting better and better.”