Horse Racing Tips: Juddmonte International Stakes Preview

Sponsored by Juddmonte Farms since 1989, the Juddmonte International Stakes is the most valuable Pattern race of the season at York, with prize money totalling £1 million.

In the absence of St. Mark’s Basilica, Aidan O’Brien has re-routed Love from a proposed engagement in the Prix Jean Romanet at Deauville on Sunday, but his star filly faces a formidable domestic challenge.

 

Mishriff fits the bill

Mishriff proved no match for the aforementiond St. Mark’s Basilica in the Coral-Eclipse at Sandown, eventually finishing third, beaten 3¾ lengths, but appeared to beat Love fair and square when stepped back up to 1 mile 4 furlongs in the King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Qipco Stakes at Ascot. A Group 1 winner over this sort of distance at Chantilly last summer, he appears to act on any going and, as such, commands maximum respect.

 

Love has little to find

Love has 1¾ lengths to find with Mishriff on their running at Ascot and, while she was a game winner of the Prince of Wales’s Stakes, over 1 mile 2 furlongs, on her previous start, it is hard to envisage her reversing that form. Of course, in receipt of the fillies’ allowance, she has just 1lb to find on official ratings, so she cannot be written off.

 

Stamina may be the key to Alcohol Free

Outside the front pair, Alcohol Free has proved something of a revelation in recent months, most recently when landing a gamble in the Qatar Sussex Stakes at Goodwood three weeks ago. She steps beyond a mile for the first time and, as a free-going sort, there must be a doubt about her ability to see out an extra two-and-a-half furlongs, especially against opposition of this calibre. That said, she receives all the allowances so, if she does stay, she could prove the proverbial ‘fly-in-the-ointment’ once again.

 

Mohaafeth has questions to answer

By contrast, Mohaafeth has something to find with the principals, including Alcohol Free, on official ratings. The Frankel colt was disappointing when beaten, albeit just a head and a neck, in the Group 2 Sky Bet York Stakes, over course and distance, last month and looks plenty short enough against such vaulted opposition.

 

Mac Swiney looks best of the rest

Alenquer beat the Derby winner, Adayar, in the Bet365 Classic Trial at Sandown in April and, although a creditable third in the Grand Prix de Paris at Longchamp last month, looks another who is set to struggle if the official handicapper is correct in his assessment. Juan Elcano, too, looks outclassed, while Mac Swiney probably needs the heavens to open if his past form is anything to go by.

Despite doubts about her stamina, Alcohol Free is sorely tempting at the odds on offer, but preference on this occasion is for Mishriff, who looks a worthy favourite. He can provide a second Group 1 winner for David Egan, who rode him to victory in the Longines Dubai Sheema Classic at Meydan in March.

 

Juddmonte Interntional Betting Tip

Selection: Mishriff (2/1 with Paddy Power)

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