The York Ebor Festival is only a week away – and it will start with a bang. August 23 Juddmonte International (G1T) is the selection of the campaign next Wednesday with the best 3-year-old in training. Paddington I want to improve the latest victory of an incredible season. Can someone stop Aidan O'Brien's superstar? Here we assess the main candidates for a collision to enjoy the Knavesmire. Juddmonte International is part of the Breeder 'Cup “Sieg” and they are in the “series.
Paddington
Prospects: Paddington's summer is still in full swing. The superstar of Aidan O'Brien, who by far the best 3-year-old in Great Britain and Ireland, won this year in a one-horse demolition in a branch stroll and achieved six victories in a row, including four group 1-die two thousand Guineas, Stacace Stakes from Stams, the Coral-Eck and the Sussex-Sex-Stakes.
The Juddmonte will be on its agenda next and could be a springboard for a crack at the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe (G1T) in October. Paddington was a pleasure to watch during a golden season, and his class corresponded to his determination to do the work. It is arduous to see how he wins again in York, and while his participation in the arch remains in balance, it would be brilliant for sport if he set up in Longchamp.
What you say
Aidan O'Brien, trainer (after the Sussex Stakes): “He is a much faster horse than Giant's Causeway. Is definitely possible.”
Mostahdaf
Viewing: The 5-year-old Mostahdaf broke his duck of Group 1 on the fourth attempt when he landed the Pfaker of the Prince of Wales (G1t) in Royal Ascot. While Paddington was relentlessly used, Mostahdaf had a much quieter year after ending the last 20 runners in 2022, which ran in Riad and Meydan in February and March before his British return in June.
With Shadwell's preserved jockey Jim Crowley, who serves a 20-day ban, Frankie Dettori will have a occasional trip in the renowned silk to give the race a touch. Mostahdaf will have his work performed against Paddington, but a reproduction of his dazzling exhibition in the Prince of Wales will give him a sedate chance of causing a surprise in York.
Mostahdaf wins the operate of Prince of Wales on the Ascot racing route
What you say
Thady Gosden, joint trainer: “Mostahdaf won over one and a quarter in Saudi Arabia at the beginning of the year and won a very solid prince of Wales in Ascot. He won well and had a nice break between the two.
Prospects: It was a shame that the ability of the desert crown matched his fragility – the breathtaking winner of the 2022 Derby (G1T) was only seen in action in his career, whereby only one run has been running since his epsome success. The 4-year-old of Sir Michael Stoute returned to Brigadier Gerard (G3T) in Sandown in May in May and was half length of defeated by beaten by Law – Form that has not read too badly after he follows the subsequent victory of his conqueror in King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes (G1T).
A potential repetition in Royal Ascot and then in King George were canceled due to setbacks, with a leg infection decided him in July from a remaining with Hukum. Certainly the biggest question mark about the prospects of Desert Crowns is looking at whether he will actually appear or not, but if he does it and if he can revive the flame of the vintage, it would be firm in the picture.
King of Steel I suggested that the Irish Champion Stakes (G1T) is more of its next destination than Juddmonte, while it is doubtful the derby winner August Rodin The one in King George Flopte will accept Paddington against stare data. Alflaila is another sentence to miss group 1, with Shadwell probably using him against the Main Hope Mostahdaf. Pylen Participation is also in the air in the air with his joint coach William Muir this week and says that he can go to Kemton or directly to the arch in October. Bay Bridge has been registered in York, but has been with Ascot without victory since the championship last year, during the impressive Falmouth winner Nashwa I would try to get back from her defeat in Nassau Stakes (G1) with a wonderful Goodwood, where it was unfavorable from the tender ground.
Verdict
This is Paddington's world and we only live in it. He was the undisputed star of the Flat season and he is a few victories away from consolidating his heir as an all-time-large. If he can add a fifth group 1 of the year to his already glittering curriculum vitae in York, the ARC dream would be tempting. There has been a relatively brief turnaround since Goodwood, but the durability seems to be one of his licensees, and he can do the task in Juddmonte.
