THE stage is set for one of the best races of the year at York next Wednesday when Ombudsman and Constitution River meet in the Juddmonte International Stakes.

A wide-margin winner of the 10-furlong race last year, the five-year-old Ombudsman has won all three of his starts so far this season

The John and Thady Gosden-trained horse remains the world’s joint top-rated performer. In figures released this week, Ombudsman is rated 131, alongside Hong Kong sprinter Ka Ying Rising.

Constitution River is rated 124 but he too is unbeaten in three runs this year – most recently the Prix du Jockey Club and Eclipse Stakes.

Bookmakers have installed Ombudsman as their even-money favourite, with Constitution River at 7/4. The Juddmonte-owned Item – a dual Group 2 winner over the course and distance – is 13/2 and the remaining seven entries are priced at 20/1 or greater.

Speaking to The Irish Field on Friday afternoon, Aidan O’Brien said: “Everything’s great with Constitution River and we have been looking forward to this race for a good while.

“We think he’s progressing, physically and mentally. He’s been making lovely progress all the time. He’s very versatile tactically so it won’t be a problem if they go fast or slow, but a strong pace will suit everybody.”

Yorkshire Oaks

Thursday’s Yorkshire Oaks also looks set to provide a thrilling spectacle featuring King George winner Kalpana, Irish Oaks winner Johanna Walsh and last year’s winner Minnie Hauk, herself a dual Oaks heroine.

Minnie Hauk cut out early in the straight in the King George last month but a better run is expected next week. O’Brien said: “She’s in good form and we think she will leave her King George run behind her.”

On Friday, the stable runs Mission Central in the Nunthorpe Stakes. A Group 1 winner over five furlongs at Royal Ascot, the three-year-old gelding was only seventh when stepped up to six furlongs in the July Cup. “We just think the six stretched him,” O’Brien said.

On Tuesday, the yard will likely be represented in the Great Voltigeur by Derby winner Christmas Day and Pierre Bonnard. “Both are well,” the trainer reports. “They’ve had a little rest since the last day, so they’re just building back up again.”

Confucius is the trainer’s most likely runner in Tuesday’s Group 3 Acomb Stakes. The exciting Giant Sequoia is also entered but could wait for the Group 2 Futurity Stakes at the Curragh next weekend, O’Brien said.

If Ballydoyle has a runner in Friday’s Gimcrack Stakes it will probably be Marco Polo, a No Nay Never colt who was a promising second on debut at the Curragh last Sunday.

JUDDMONTE INTERNATIONAL STAKES

Latest betting: 10/11 Ombudsman, 7/4 Constitution River, 13/2 Item, 20 Almaqam, Hawk Mountain, Zaydann, 33 bar.