15:35 York

Wednesday 22 August 2018

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

Juddmonte International Stakes (Group 1)

Off time: 15:35 | Winning time: 2m 7.70s

(2)

Benbatl^t²⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 9-6| J: Jim Crowley| T: S bin Suroor| OR: 123| D

10/1

Very consistent in Meydan this winter and signed off with a win in the Dubai Turf. Failed to justify favouritism in the Queen Anne on return but back to something like his best when winning a German Group 1 last time. Needs more in this deeper race.

Form: 112101

(6)

Poet's Word²⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 9-6| J: James Doyle| T: Sir Michael Stoute| OR: 130| D

8/5

In the form of his life in 2018 and arrives on the back of back-to-back Group 1 wins at Ascot. While there's a suspicion he's at his best over 1m4f, he's highly effective at this trip and versatile as far as conditions are concerned. Leading claims.

Form: 26-2111

(7)

Thundering Blue²⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 9-6| J: Fran Berry| T: D Menuisier| OR: 109| CD

50/1

Looked like a progressive handicapper before taking his form to a new level with a Group 2 win here last time out. Has it all to do here though up in class in what looks a stellar renewal.

Form: 7-51021

(3)

Thunder Snow^p¹⁴⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 9-6| J: C Soumillon| T: S bin Suroor| OR: 124| D

16/1

Produced a career best from the widest draw in the Dubai World Cup on dirt last time. Rare for one to be as good on turf but seems the case with this colt and he has two French Group 1 wins on turf. Has a useful turn of foot and holds place claims.

Form: 30-2121

(8)

Latrobe⁵³

Age: 3| Weight: 8-13| J: Wayne Lordan| T: J P O'Brien| OR: 115

12/1

Took a big step forward from winning his maiden to land the Irish Derby last time out. Form of that race wouldn't appear to be the strongest though and he had the race run to suit. Less exposed than most.

Form: 2-2211

(4)

Roaring Lion⁴⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 8-13| J: Oisin Murphy| T: J & T Gosden| OR: 122| CD

3/1

Has gone from strength to strength this year. Won the Dante over C&D earlier in the season before a good third in the Derby and career best when winning the Eclipse last time out. Gives the impression we still haven't seen the best of him.

Form: 2-35131

(1)

Saxon Warrior⁴⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 8-13| J: R L Moore| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 121

9/2

Impressive when landing the 2,000 Guineas but things haven't gone to plan since, beaten in the Derby when odds-on before placed efforts in the Irish Derby and the Eclipse when a neck behind Roaring Lion. May struggle to reverse that form.

Form: 11-1432

(5)

Without Parole²¹

Age: 3| Weight: 8-13| J: L Dettori| T: J & T Gosden| OR: 118| BF

14/1

Progressive sort who won the St James's Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot on just his fourth start. Form of the race not done many favours and he was unsuited by making the running at Goodwood last time, but he has less mileage than many of his rivals.

Form: 1-1117

Forecasts

Poet's Word (8/5), Roaring Lion (3/1), Saxon Warrior (9/2), Benbatl (10/1), Latrobe (12/1), Without Parole (14/1), Thunder Snow (16/1), Thundering Blue (50/1)

One of the strongest renewals we have seen of the Juddmonte International in recent years and it's a fascinating class of generations. ROARING LION and Poet's Word are taken to battle it out with the former a tentative selection in receipt of the weight-for-age allowance. John Gosden's Eclipse winner still gives the impression he's improving with each run and given his impressive C&D win in the Dante earlier in the season, this track would seem ideal for him. Poet's Word isn't taken on lightly but with a suspicion he's at his absolute best over 1m4f, he's taken to fill the runner-up spot. Dual Group 1 winner Thunder Snow can outrun his likely double figure odds.