15:35 York

Wednesday 23 August 2017

All13:5514:2515:0015:3516:1516:50

Juddmonte International Stakes (Group 1)

Off time: 15:35 | Winning time: 2m 12.11s

(1)

Decorated Knight⁴⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 9-6| J: Andrea Atzeni| T: H & R Charlton| OR: 119| D

16/1

Dual Group 1 winner who landed the latter of those at the Curragh in May. Ran to a similar level behind Highland Reel at Royal Ascot and had excuses at Sandown last time when suffering significant interference. Should be right there once again.

Form: 116126

(4)

My Dream Boat^v1²⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 9-6| J: A Kirby| T: C G Cox| OR: 113| C| D

28/1

Group 1 winner last year who hasn't quite been at his best this campaign, often racing lazily. First-time visor may help on that front and not one to rule out if the ground gets soft for a yard in excellent form but he does need to bounce back.

Form: 54-3247

(3)

Ulysses²⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 9-6| J: Jim Crowley| T: Sir Michael Stoute| OR: 121| D

4/1

Good third in the Prince Of Wales's Stakes and improved on that to land the Eclipse when travelling best throughout. Travelled well again when no match for Enable last time out but this is easier. Doesn't want to hit the front too early though.

Form: 24-1312

(7)

Barney Roy⁴⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 8-13| J: James Doyle| T: R Hannon| OR: 120

11/4

Guineas runner-up behind Churchill and reversed the form at Royal Ascot before he was touched off in the Eclipse when Ulysses pulled out more in the finish. Had time to recover but may not want any rain and needs some pace on to be seen at his best.

Form: 1-1212

(5)

Churchill⁶⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 8-13| J: R L Moore| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 123| BF

5/2

Dual Guineas winner who disappointed when fourth at Ascot behind Barney Roy in bid to land fifth successive Group 1. Didn't give his running but given time since and shapes like this trip won't be an issue. Yard have excellent recent record in this.

Form: 111-114

(2)

Cliffs Of Moher^t⁴⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 8-13| J: Seamie Heffernan| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 118| BF| D

9/2

Looked the winner of the Derby before he was reeled in by his stablemate and had excuses last time in the Eclipse when he suffered significant interference. Given time to recover and still unexposed but Moore prefers Churchill.

Form: 51-124

(6)

Shutter Speed^t1⁶⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 8-10| J: L Dettori| T: J & T Gosden| OR: 109| CD

9/1

Improved from seasonal debut when favourite against stablemate Enable to win a Group 3 at York on next start. Good run in a French Group 1 last time and given she handles cut in ground, she could run well if there's rain but has a bit to do on form.

Form: 1-114

Forecasts

Churchill (5/2), Barney Roy (11/4), Ulysses (4/1), Cliffs Of Moher (9/2), Shutter Speed (9/1), Decorated Knight (16/1), My Dream Boat (28/1)

A typically competitive renewal of this race and a tricky puzzle to solve with uncertainty with regards to the ground conditions but a chance is taken with sole filly in the race, SHUTTER SPEED. She went off favourite and beat stablemate Enable earlier in the season. The three-year-old seems to enjoy some cut in the ground and she could be worth siding with in a first-time tongue-tie for owners who target this race. Five-time Group 1 winner Churchill seems a thoroughly straightforward sort who ought to bounce back from a disappointment at Royal Ascot but he was withdrawn at Goodwood last time when the ground got very soft. Decorated Knight is a consistent sort who may get the better of Ulysses and Barney Roy who, while they are both respected, seem a little reliant on fast ground and a decent pace in the race.