Juddmonte International Stakes (Group 1)

THE Juddmonte International never fails to live up to its billing as the highlight of the first day of York’s Ebor meeting, and once again the race threw up a thrilling finish to keep fans riveted. Sir Michael Stoute’s favourite Crystal Ocean typically dug deep under James Doyle, but was just unable to repel the determined challenge of Ryan Moore on Aidan O’Brien’s Grand Prix de Paris hero Japan, who coped surprisingly well with the drop back to this extended 10 furlongs having looked all about stamina in both the Dante and the Derby.

Elarqam, supplemented for this race by Mark Johnston after his impressive York Stakes win over the course and distance, tracked the leaders under Jim Crowley.

The decision of Donnacha O’Brien on the front-running Circus Maximus to stick to the far rail meant that the chasing pack followed suit, and the long-striding son of Frankel was unable to open up fully. He did well to rally for third after again running out of room inside the final furlong.

Setback

Japan had a setback in the spring, which meant that he was somewhat undercooked when finishing behind Telecaster and Too Darn Hot here in the Dante Stakes, and Aidan O’Brien was full of praise for his team at Ballydoyle for enabling him to take a rigorous campaign since then in his stride.

“We couldn’t be happier and the team back home have done a magnificent job,” he said. “He had an easy race in Longchamp, it was a steadily-run race and he quickened and got to the front. It was very easy for him and we knew he wouldn’t go and win by far.

“He’s a lovely relaxed horse with loads of class. The first time he showed us that real class was when he won the Beresford when he beat two of ours which we knew were good horses. We rushed him to get back ready for the Dante, but every rung has been a step-up.”

The bunched finish in the Derby at Epsom and a shock result in the Irish Derby has led many to conclude that this year’s classic crop are a moderate bunch, but O’Brien disagrees. “The three-year-olds are better than anyone thinks,” he said. “The King George was a bit of a disaster with the soft ground and it didn’t work, but that wasn’t a true reading of the three-year-old form.

“The lads will see what they want to do, but it’ll be something like the Arc and we’ll maybe take in the Irish Champion Stakes on the way.”

Japan (Ryan Moore) comes flying to catch Crystal Ocean (James Doyle) in the Group 1 Juddmonte International Stakes \ Healy Racing

Tactics

Mark Johnston rued the race tactics for Elarqam’s luckless effort: “He was obviously very keen early on and he got caught off the bridle a couple out, but he has come back with a vengeance. Jim felt had he let him stride on early on then he might’ve won it.

“Had they come up the middle, as they have done in every race for the last five years, he might have won anyway, so it’s frustrating, but it certainly confirms beyond any doubts that he had class, so that’s reassuring.”

John Gosden, trainer of fourth-placed King Of Comedy confirmed visual impressions that his colt over-raced after an early stumble and didn’t quite see things out as a result. The son of Kingman will miss the Irish Champion in favour of the Queen Elizabeth II at Ascot in October, and the plan is for him to stay in training as a four-year-old, where the Prince of Wales’s Stakes at Royal Ascot will be his primary target.

Lord Grimthorpe congratulates Aidan O'Brien (right) after Japan's win \ Healy Racing