CHURCHILL, Barney Roy and Ulysses are the leading names among 15 confirmations for Wednesday’s Juddmonte International Stakes at York. Aidan O’Brien’s 2000/Irish 2000 Guineas winner Churchill will be having his first run over 10 furlongs as he bids to bounce back from a lacklustre fourth behind Barney Roy in the St James’s Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot.

Churchill was withdrawn from the Sussex Stakes at Goodwood in July, less than hour before the race, on account of the testing conditions.

O’Brien also has Cliffs Of Moher, Deauville, Lancaster Bomber and Taj Mahal in contention.

The Sir Michael Stoute-trained Ulysses prevailed by just a nose from Richard Hannon’s Barney Roy in the Eclipse, and has since finished second behind Enable in the King George at Ascot.

There are a handful of other Group 1 winners also in the mix with Decorated Knight, Pretty Polly Stakes winner Nezwaah, and My Dream Boat previous scorers at this level.

The Ken Condon-trained Success Days, winner of the York Stakes last time out, Moonlight Magic (Jim Bolger), Desert Encounter, So Mi Dar and Shutter Speed all remain engaged at this stage.

Aidan O’Brien is confident that Cliffs Of Moher is primed to line-up alongside Churchill in the Juddmonte International. Cliffs Of Moher was runner-up in the Derby before finishing a luckless fourth in the Coral-Eclipse.

“Donnacha (O’Brien) is very happy with Churchill at home and Seamus (Heffernan) is very happy with Cliffs Of Moher, so we’re thinking of running both at the moment,” he said this week.

CAPRI

O’Brien confirmed that his Irish Derby winner Capri is on course to return to action in the Betway Great Voltigeur Stakes, also on Wednesday, along with other representatives of the stable. He said: “We’re thinking of running Capri, Venice Beach, Taj Mahal and Spanish Steps.”

O’Brien’s son Joseph has Rekindling entered for the one-mile, four-furlong race but he is due to run in the Comer Group International Irish St Leger Trial Stakes at the Curragh today.

Roger Charlton’s Royal Ascot winner Atty Persse, Andrew Balding’s Count Octave and Brian Meehan’s Raheen House are still in the mix for the York race.

The Darley Yorkshire Oaks on Thursday will see Enable start as odds-on favourite, fresh from her triumph in the King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot.

The dual Oaks winner could face Aidan O’Brien’s Alluringly, whom she has beaten three times already. Alluringly won the Listed Hurry Harriet Stakes at Gowran Park on Wednesday.

A decent field of fillies includes Roger Varian’s Nezwaah and the Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare winner Queens Trust.

John Gosden has also left in Group 1 Qipco British Champions Fillies & Mares Stakes winner Journey.

LADY AURELIA

Washington DC is ready to drop back down to the minimum trip on the Knavesmire for a second shot at the Coolmore Nunthorpe Stakes on Friday.

The son of Zoffany gained his second win of the season in the the six-furlong Group 3 Phoenix Sprint Stakes at the Curragh last Sunday.

O’Brien commented: “A fast pace and following the other horses will suit him. That’s very possible.”

All eyes will be on Wesley Ward’s supersonic King’s Stand Stakes winner Lady Aurelia as the main contender for the Group 1 sprint.

Sir Mark Prescott has warned that his Betfred Ebor favourite Flymetothestars will only run if there is sufficient give in the ground at York next Saturday.

The four-year-old has only had five races in his life and last out finished a close-up third in the Northumberland Plate at the start of July, beaten less than a length by Higher Power.

Unusually, the Sea The Stars gelding has yet to race on turf.