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.
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