RACING:IT'S VERY sad that Harbinger isn't in the line-up for the Juddmonte International at York following his career-ending injury but it's a terrific renewal even without the runaway King George winner.
It remains a fascinating contest with Aidan O’Brien’s Rip Van Winkle, a recent second behind Canford Cliffs in the Sussex Stakes, sure to play a big role. He’s a horse that’s had a few well-chronicled problems with his feet but he’s high class at his best.
Twice he chased home Sea The Stars last season before dropping back to a mile with great success. The way he is ridden over a mile – aggressively – suggests that over that distance connections are keen to use his stamina and I think there is little doubt that this 1m 2f will suit him very well.
In contrast, there is a stamina doubt about Dick Turpin who has so far raced only over a mile this season, winning the Prix Jean Prat last time out. He was also second to Canford Cliffs in the St James’s Palace and second in both the English and French Guineas.
He’s a terrific colt who is likely to be suited by any give in the ground, though that of course will put extra emphasis on stamina and it is unknown territory to him.
On a line through Canford Cliffs there isn’t really too much to choose between Rip Van Winkle and Dick Turpin. I just suspect that the distance is going to suit Rip Van Winkle that bit better.
Don’t forget the French horse Byword who beat Twice Over in the Prince Of Wales’s Stakes at Royal Ascot. They re-oppose and there’s little to choose between them on that form, though Henry Cecil’s horse possibly didn’t have the run of the race.
Before his Royal Ascot win, Byword chased home Goldikova and he’s clearly a colt out of the top drawer. Whether either Byword or Twice Over are good enough to beat a top-form Rip Van Winkle, though, is another matter.
Another interesting runner is the Italian raider Jakkalberry, winner of the Gran Premio Di Milano last time out, beating a solid Group One horse in Getaway. If you cast your mind back to 2005 this race was won by an Italian-trained horse in Electrocutionist who on his previous start had won the very same race.
It will be interesting to see if Jakkalberry can emulate Electrocutionist in this, but in a hot renewal it has to be Rip Van Winkle.
The Great Voltigeur Stakes is probably the leading trial for the Ladbrokes St Leger at Doncaster next month and it contains a Derby rematch between the third Rewilding and the Epsom fifth Midas Touch.
Rewilding hasn’t run since Epsom but has been targeted at the St Leger ever since his run in June, while Midas Touch was second behind Cape Blanco in the Irish Derby last time.
It probably wasn’t the best Irish Derby ever run but he holds Monterosso on that form and Mark Johnston’s horse was subsequently seventh in Germany behind the Godolphin-trained Buzzword.
The clinching factor here is that Rewilding receives 3lb from O’Brien’s colt so he has very strong claims providing he is fit and well after a more than two-month absence.
O’Brien is also represented by Joshua Tree, winner of the Royal Lodge Stakes as a two-year-old. He hasn’t raced since and might need the run. Of the others, quite frankly they’ve all got a bit to find.
Harris Tweed is an admirable horse who ran very well again last time when second in the Bahrain Trophy at Newmarket’s July Festival, but on ratings he has plenty to do. On Derby form, Rewilding is the one to beat.
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Ruby Walsh had to settle for third place as he made his return from injury aboard Hail Caesar at Roscommon yesterday evening.
