Aidan set for 8th success in mouthwatering Juddmonte
The remarkably versatile Ombudsman will be tough to deny in the £1.5m Juddmonte International Stakes (3.35), a stunning highlight on day one of the Ebor Festival at York on Wednesday.
John and Thady Gosden's five-year-old has added the Group 1 Dubai Turf in Meydan and the Prince of Wales' Stakes at Royal Ascot to his illustrious CV since taking this race in such spectacular style 12 months ago.
- Kevin Blake's tips for opening day of York's Ebor Festival
- Rayif wins the Prix Jacques Le Marois | Race replay
However, Aidan O'Brien's CONSTITUTION RIVER is something very special as he proved in the French Derby and the Coral-Eclipse and can come of age against his older rival in what promises to be an epic duel.
Two years younger and benefiting from that 7lb allowance, the son of Wootton Bassett hasn't yet reached his peak and is adaptable enough to lower the colours of Godolphin's superstar in what looks certain to be another tactical renewal.
Juddmonte's representative Item has proven his liking for this track with wins at Group 2 level in the Dante and the York Stakes but despite being only 2lb behind Constitution River on official ratings, needs to dig much deeper to usurp the main two.
Cross ready to stake Classic claim
MALTESE CROSS can stake his claim for the 250th running of the St Leger with a big performance in the Sky Bet Great Voltigeur Stakes (3.00) at York - a traditional trial for next month's final Classic.
My husband Tom (Marquand) is rightfully hopeful he can avenge his Derby defeat by Christmas Day in this 1m4f Group 2 after a hard-fought success in the Group 1 Grand Prix de Paris last month.
He'd have been an unlucky loser that day after overcoming all sorts of problems in running and should enjoy this galloping test on a sound surface on The Knavesmire before stepping up in trip at Doncaster.
Christmas Day couldn't repeat his Epsom heroics in the Irish Derby when his stablemate Pierre Bonnard finished only a neck behind him. In fact, I wouldn't be surprised to see that lovely colt emerge as the main Ballydoyle threat to Maltese Cross.
Haffner to frank strong Goodwood form
HAFFNER is the one they all have to beat in the Group 3 Tattersalls Acomb Stakes (2.25) at York despite finding one too good in the Vintage Stakes at Goodwood.
Aidan O'Brien's colt, who had previously won a Newmarket maiden, emerged with plenty of credit behind the unbeaten Dr Rascal on the Downs and has much less to prove than his rivals over this 7f.
If he under-performs, Ed Walker's talented colt Alfred Wallace could be the one to take advantage. The son of top-class race mare Snow Lantern gained a deserved success in a Listed contest at Ascot last time and can find the necessary improvement to go well in this better grade.
Madera can avenge unlucky run in Stewards' Cup
The big sprint handicaps at York are notoriously difficult to solve but I can make a strong case for TOCA MADERA in the opening Hong Kong Jockey Club World Pool Handicap (1.50).
David O'Meara's gelding would have gone much closer in the Stewards' Cup at Goodwood with a clear run and has been given the chance to gain compensation off an unchanged mark with stable jockey Danny Tudhope back on board.
I'm pleased to see him drawn low in stall four as I think that's the best place to be on the straight track, which we know plays to the strengths of the well supported The Man. Richard Spencer's runner was second in this last year but was well behind Toca Madera at Goodwood last month.
A better alternative at a bigger price may be Lemos de Souza's gelding Naana's Sparkle who finished in front of them both in that Goodwood sprint and will hopefully get a good tow into the race from his middle draw at rewarding odds.
Big chance for unlucky Small Fry
I nominated SMALL FRY as my 'Hot Shot' in this blog after his luckless run at the Goodwood Festival so won't be forsaking him in the Sky Bet Stayers Handicap (4.10) at York.
Joseph O'Brien's gelding got shuffled back at an important stage of the valuable Summer Handicap but still powered home to be a close second over 1m6f and can gain compensation despite a 4lb rise.
The step up to 2m can only be a positive for Joseph's son of Harzand who stays well and for the first time has the assistance of Ireland's champion jockey Dylan Browne McMonagle.
Andrew Balding's Shrimp Shady is becoming quite a force in top staying handicaps so don't rule him out either. He was second at the Shergar Cup after landing a big pot at Newbury at the expense of the likeable Team Player and will enjoy the test ahead of him on The Knavesmire.
