Juddmonte International Stakes 2012

3.40 York

Juddmonte International Stakes (Group 1) (British Champions Series) (Class 1)  (3YO plus)

Winner £411,148

Advice: 5 pts Frankel to win by 5 or more lengths (evs Hills)

Bullet Train: Used as pacemaker for Frankel on last four starts and not sure to appreciate.

Farhh: Shaped as Group 1 horse when romping home off mark of 100 in Thirsk Hunt Cup and proved that with desperately unlucky third in Prince Of Wales’s Stakes and close second in Eclipse (form of which looks very strong now thanks to Nathaniel and Cityscape); No match for Frankel in Sussexand expect that to be the same today but solid chance of being best of the rest back at his preffered trip.

Frankel: Seen by many as one of the greatest horses in history at backend of remarkable classic season, and proven that beyond doubt this year with stellar performances in Lockinge, Queen Anne (and one of the all -time great milling performances) and then Sussex, beating Farhh in most facile fashion seen yet; Steps up to 10f for first time which is subject of much debate although way he runs suggests if anything he can be more dominant at this trip, and no real threats to him on paper today.

Planteur: Showed that he retains large amount of ability when third in Dubai World Cup and Prix D’Isphahan but disappointing when worked up at the start badly in Prince Of Wales’s Stakes and others make more appeal here; Also better with much more cut in the ground.

Robin Hood: Pacemaker to ensure this is a good gallop.

Sri Putra: Always had talent as several big efforts in 10f Group 1’s like this show, and deserved Group 2 win in York Stakes very much a deserved effort; Needs far more to get involved amongst genuine group horses today but not without a chance of snatching a place given his odds.

St Nicholas Abbey: Completed renaissance with spectacular Breeders Cup Turf win last year and looked at least as good this time around, impressing in defeat against Cirrus Des Aigles and then when third (not beaten far at all) in top class King George; One of the best horses on ability that Frankel has faced but doubtful whether he has the speed at 10f to be troubling him, even with excessively strong pace likely to be forced upon him.

Twice Over: Back to his best when winning battle royal against Midday in this last year and first form on any kind of level like that since when third in Eclipse last time; Good enough at this level to put up bold showing and he may well improve on that (he tends to sequence his best runs of form) for all that he was well behind Farhh when

Windsor Palace: Pacemaker.

VERDICT: It’s fantastic to see FRANKEL trying something new, and the step up to 10 furlongs has at least seen him draw a competitive field, if not one with any conceivable danger of beating him. His first try at the distance is of much debate but if anything he’s much stronger at the end of his races than a year ago and this distance – with a well-run race provided to help Ballyoyle’s St Nicholas Abbey – could bring out the best in the now far more relaxed colt, so the evens being offered on him winning by 5 or more lengths by William Hill looks to be a gift. St Nicholas Abbey has the second best form and is seen as the biggest danger, but he is far superior at 12 than 10 furlongs and even with three pacemakers today, there has to be a question mark over his speed. Farhh and Twice Over are both specialist 10 furlong horses, and along with Sri Putra, have solid chances of taking second or third, with preference for the Goldolphin horse back at his ideal trip given how much distance he had out between himself and Twice Over in the Eclipse.