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.