Juddmonte International Stakes 2010 - Ebor Festival 2010 (Day 1)

3.25 York
Juddmonte International Stakes (Group 1) (Class 1) (3YO plus)
Winner £371,865

Pick: Rip Van Winkle (win)

Bushman: Lightly raced and good sort who has always been talented and finally put it together at pattern level earlier this year, winning listed contest and then Diomed Stakes; Built on that even when second in York Stakes last time but likely to be found wanting at this level.

Byword: Showed a lot of promise last season, winning listed race cosily before good efforts in Group company; Improved tons this season , winning Group 2 easily and confirming himself in top bracket when pushing Goldikova al the way in 9f Prix D’Isphan, cementing improvement when winning Prince Of Wales’s Stakes by half a length from fast closing Twice Over; Pair should be closely matched but improving all the time and should take big hand.

Calvaryman: Enjoyed a progressive 2009, winning three times (including the Prix Niel and Grand Prix De Paris) before coming third in the Arc; Yet to reach same heights for new stable (Saeed Bin Suroor) and well behind Byword last time; Dettoir picks him over Cutlass Bay, which is interesting.

Cutlass Bay: Took his previously unbeaten record to 5 wins from 5 start when coming away to win the Prix Ganay very nicely from Prix L’Opera winner Shalanaya, especially when you consider how much he hung when making his challenge; Was a major blowout on first start for Goldolphin and needs to improve majorly on that, although booking of Fallon is a major plus.

Jakkalberry: Italian raider who made it 6 wins from 10 starts when capturing 1½m Group 1 Gran Premio di Milano in June; Shorter trip and different ground are no problem and unwise to underestimate seeing as his beating of Getaway, Campanologist and Quiano is useful form; Peslier major coup on board.

Rip Van Winkle: Highly regarded horse who finally put it all together last season, when putting together string of high class efforts before romping away with Sussex last year, before using sheer class to put him through QE11 Stakes, beating Zacinto; Hasn’t been seen at best since but valid excuses having been over the top at Breeder’s Cup, before needing the run when sixth in Queen Anne; Ran a very good race when close second to Canford Cliffs and major chance seeing as he’s still nearing his peak.

Stimulation: Looked very good in 2008 when landing Challenge Stakes at Newmarket and best form since when excellent fourth behind Byword at Royal Ascot but poor run last time and hard to be positive about.

Twice Over: Always shown a high class level of form but was transformed by 2 confidence boosters last season before taking Champion Stakes and then coming third in Breeders Cup Classic; Needed the run badly when nearly last in Dubai World Cup and could be judged unlucky when second in Prince Of Wale’s Stakes behind Byword; Solid when winning Eclipse and should be right there on form.

Dick Turpin: Won first 4 starts, being as short as 16/1 for classics this season after winning sales race easily at Fairyhouse (Form flattened out but had excuses at the last backend); Has been super consistent revelation this year, winning Greenham before finishing runner – up in English Guineas, French Guineas, and St James’s Palace when running away with Prix Jean Prat last time; Step up 10f shouldn’t be a problem given way he races (very relaxed) and major chance.

VERDICT: As good a renewal of this race as we’ve ever seen, with 7 of the 9 horses having won a Group 1 at some point. Big cases can be made for Twice Over or Byword, but RIP VAN WINKLE is equally as effective over this trip and will take all the beating if near his peak on his best form, which is a close second to last year’s winner Sea The Stars in the Coral Eclipse. It’s fascinating that Frankie Dettori has chosen Cavalryman over Cutlass Bay, and while both could spring a surprise, the latter is preferred off the 2. It would be unwise to leave Jallakberry out of consideration seeing as his beating of Getaway, Campanologist and Quiano is useful form. Byword and Twice Over should be very close, with preference for the former as he looked to have a lot in hand winning at Royal Ascot; They could all be bypassed by the improving Dick Turpin, who should stay just fine.