Juddmonte International Stakes (Group 1) | 1m2½f | 3yo+ | ITV/RTV
A suspicion lingers that we did not see the real Love in last month’s King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes and we would not have seen in her in this had stablemate and coming force St Mark’s Basilica not suffered a last-minute setback.
The daughter of Galileo, a star of 2020 when her triumphs included the 1,000 Guineas, Oaks and Yorkshire Oaks at this meeting, had been due to run this week in Sunday’s Prix Jean Romanet at Deauville, but steps into the breach a few days early as she bids to consign her somewhat tame Ascot display to history.
Sent off the 13-8 favourite for the midsummer highlight she finished third to Adayar, a length and three-quarters behind runner-up Mishriff, whom she meets again here.
Love seemed to be beaten on merit, but a closer look shows she was short of room at a crucial point two out and then carried her head awkwardly.
Aidan O’Brien, who trains Love for Coolmore partners Michael Tabor, Derrick Smith and John Magnier, said: “The plan was for Love to go to France at the weekend, so she hasn’t done a lot since Ascot, but we’ve had to redirect her here after what happened to St Mark’s Basilica.”
O’Brien, seeking a record seventh win in the prestigious contest, added: “Her programme was geared towards her going to France so we’ve had to alter that slightly, but she seems to be in good form.”
Mishriff ready for long-term plan
John Gosden, now operating in partnership with son Thady, might think his chances of a hat-trick of training titles have evaporated given he trails pacesetter Andrew Balding by more than £900,000, but Mishriff is a high-class and consistent colt who has certainly kept the bank balance topped up in recent times.
The bulk of his £10,523,423 earnings has come from lucrative trips abroad this year when he won the Saudi Cup and Dubai Sheema Classic, helping rising star of the weighing room David Egan make a name – and a few quid – for himself.
Successful in last year’s Prix du Jockey Club, Mishriff, who runs in the colours of breeder Prince Faisal, was third behind St Mark’s Basilica in the Eclipse before his fine King George effort, but there is a sense connections have long deemed this £1 million event as an ideal one for the four-year-old.
“This race has been the plan for a long time,” John Gosden said.
“We were very pleased with his run in the King George before which he overraced at Sandown in the Eclipse where he tired in the last furlong on his first run back after a break. This track and the trip should suit and he’s had a good prep.
“It’s a shame St Mark’s Basilica can’t be there, but it still looks like a fascinating contest.”
What they say
William Haggas, trainer of Alenquer and Mohaafeth
The pacemaker went too slow and Jim Crowley was too far back on Mohaafeth in the York Stakes. It was a mess, and you can put a line through it. Angus Gold [owners' racing manager] felt that if you ignore that run and concentrated on the good bits he was well worth his chance here. The trip is fine and the ground should be okay too. He’s got a bit to find, but he’s useful. Alenquer’s owners felt that as he had already won a Group 2 there was no point running in another one. They want to test him against the best, and he’s very well. He’s improving, and again you can put a line through his latest run at Longchamp as he was too far back and never got into it at all. I don’t think he’s the soft- or heavy-ground horse some have him down as, but he might just want a bit further. It’s an ambitious route for both horses, but they’ll run well. Whether they are good enough is another matter.
Jim Bolger, trainer of Mac Swiney
He’s very well and I’m happy with him. We’re hopeful that going back to a mile and a quarter will bring out the best in him. As usual, it’s a hot race, but York has been a lucky track for me and I’m hoping that the luck will stay with us.
Oisin Murphy, rider of Alcohol Free
I don’t draw comparisons because Alcohol Free is a very light-framed, athletic, feminine type of horse and Roaring Lion [who won the International in 2018] was the opposite – very strong and a very different character – but she’s been a superstar for me. You don’t have easy races at Goodwood, but she came out of the Sussex very well. She’ll either stay or she won’t, and whatever happens won’t detract from what she’s already achieved. There will be plenty of time afterwards to freshen her up for Qipco British Champions Day. She’s not a difficult ride once she’s in behind, and I’ll hopefully be able to get her in and switch her off, although she can be quite electric from the gates even when I don’t want her to be. With a filly there’s nothing to lose.
Wednesday’s race previews:
1.50 York: ’The Chelmsford run should have him spot on’ – trainers on the ITV opener
2.25 York: ’We’ve always liked him from day one’ – high hopes for Palmer juvenile in Acomb
3.00 York: is there a St Leger winner on show? Great Voltigeur insight and trainer quotes
fonte : RacingPost
