15:35 York

Wednesday 21 August 2019

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

Juddmonte International Stakes (Group 1) (British Champions Series)

Off time: 15:35 | Winning time: 2m 7.77s

(5)

Cheval Grand²⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 9-6| J: Oisin Murphy| T: Y Tomomichi| OR: 119| D

28/1

Japan Cup winner in 2017 and runner-up in the Sheema Classic at Meydan early in the season. Probably wants quicker ground than this though and the drop back in trip doesn't seem ideal.

Form: 2443-26

(4)

Crystal Ocean²⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 9-6| J: James Doyle| T: Sir Michael Stoute| OR: 127| D

11/10

Produced a career best effort when landing the Prince Of Wales's Stakes at Royal Ascot and only narrowly denied by super mare Enable in the King George last time out. Goes on any ground and he's the one to beat on all known form.

Form: 22-1112

(2)

Elarqam²⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 9-6| J: Jim Crowley| T: C & M Johnston| OR: 118| CD

8/1

Won on debut at this venue and made it three wins from four starts this campaign in a C&D Group 2 here last time out. Any rain would probably suit but has a bit to find with several of these rivals.

Form: 4-41311

(9)

Lord Glitters²¹

Age: 6| Weight: 9-6| J: D Tudhope| T: D O'Meara| OR: 117| C| D

25/1

Had gone close a couple of times in Group 1 company before his career-best effort winning the Queen Anne at Ascot. Given too much to do in the Sussex Stakes last time and not ruled out on his first start at this trip for some time.

Form: 66-3015

(8)

Regal Reality²⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 9-6| J: R Kingscote| T: Sir Michael Stoute| OR: 120| D

20/1

Two-time Group 3 winner who wasn't disgraced in the Eclipse earlier in the campaign. Soft ground a potential excuse here last time out but he's opposable with more rain forecast and often not straightforward (can sweat up and refuse to go to post).

Form: 33-3134

(3)

Thundering Blue⁵²

Age: 6| Weight: 9-6| J: Jason Watson| T: D Menuisier| OR: 112| CD

66/1

Outran big odds in this race last year when sticking on for third but generally he's vulnerable at this level, as seen last time out at Saint-Cloud when last of seven. Drop back in trip is in his favour but readily opposed.

Form: 120-737

(6)

Circus Maximus^b²¹

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

12/1

Improved for a drop in trip when causing a minor upset in the St James's Palace Stakes and lost nothing in defeat when runner-up in the Sussex Stakes at Goodwood behind a smart sort. Gives the impression he will relish this step back up in trip.

Form: 34-1612

(7)

Japan³⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 8-13| J: R L Moore| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 117

5/1

Stayed on gamely for third in the Derby and followed up with a wide-margin win in the King Edward VII Stakes at Royal Ascot. Gained Group 1 glory in the Group 1 Grand Prix de Paris last time, but will need a bit more progress to beat these rivals.

Form: 11-4311

(1)

King Of Comedy⁶⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 8-13| J: L Dettori| T: J & T Gosden| OR: 116

4/1

Made it two from two this season when winning in good fashion at Sandown (Listed) and only narrowly failed to reel in Circus Maximus at Royal Ascot. Shapes like a step up in trip will suit and half-brother to a French Oaks winner.

Form: 12-112

Forecasts

Crystal Ocean (11/10), King Of Comedy (4/1), Japan (5/1), Elarqam (8/1), Circus Maximus (12/1), Regal Reality (20/1), Lord Glitters (25/1), Cheval Grand (28/1), Thundering Blue (66/1)

A race won by some superstars of the sport down the years and Sir Michael Stoute aims to land his second renewal in three years, this time with CRYSTAL OCEAN. The Sea The Stars colt is as consistent as his record suggests having not finished out of the first two for more than two years and all those efforts have come in Group company. Having taken his form to a new level this season, winning a Group 1 at Royal Ascot prior to his narrow defeat to Enable last time, a replication of those runs should see him hard to beat. King Of Comedy and Circus Maximus are closely matched on their Royal Ascot form and both give the impression they will relish this step up in trip.