Al Kazeem vs Toronado – get ready for a thriller!

Can Al Kazeem, pictured here after hisd Coral-Eclipse triumph, hold off Toronado in Wednesday’s Juddmonte International? Image courtesy of racingfotos.com.

A fascinating and compelling Juddmonte International, highlight of day one of York’s Welcome to Yorkshire Ebor Festival on Wednesday, sees the all-conquering Al Kazeem come up against star miler, Toronado.

What a race it promises to be!

Everything will boil down to one thing – will Toronado stay the one mile, two furlong and 88 yard trip?

The 5-year-old Al Kazeem is unbeaten in four races this season with three top-level successes to his name including two QIPCO British Champions Series races, the Prince of Wales’s Stakes at Royal Ascot and the Coral-Eclipse at Sandown Park.

He is in the form of his life and continues to please his trainer, Roger Charlton.

This trip is perfect for him, but on their best Series performance ratings this season there is nothing between the two of them and if Britain’s top 3-year-old, Toronado, does stay, he will be a huge threat.

He won the QIPCO Sussex Stakes in fine style, cutting down Dawn Approach with ease, so making up for his narrow and perhaps unlucky defeat against the same rival in the St James’s Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot.

One cannot help thinking, however, that were it not for Olympic Glory’s fine run at Deauville the Sunday before last, Toronado would not be making this step up in trip right now.

Both Richard Hannon-trained colts are owned by Sheikh Joaan Al Thani and with Olympic Glory most unlikely to stay further than a mile, the decision has been made to try Toronado over further and leave Olympic Glory for races like the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes on QIPCO British Champions Day.

Showers are forecast for Wednesday which would not be in Toronado’s favour, but if they fail to materialise and the ground was to ride on the quick side, that would significantly boost his chances.

One can imagine the scene – Al Kazeem striking for home under James Doyle, with Richard Hughes closing in on him for a late strike if his stamina holds out.

Hillstar, trained by Sir Michael Stoute, looks like he needs further – he was gaining at the end of the mile and a half Betfair King George at Ascot on his last start – and is most unlikely to have the pace to cope with the big two.

Aidan O’Brien’s challenger, Declaration Of War, has already been soundly beaten by both Al Kazeem and Toronado, while Trading Leather has improved with racing and although his best form is at a mile and a half – he won the Irish Derby and was second in the Betfair King George – he was right on terms in the latter race with two furlongs to run before Novellist swept by.

The sixth runner, Rewarded, looks outclassed by all his rivals.

This is a race not to miss! If you can’t get to York and won’t have the opportunity to watch the race live, make sure you record it. It’s live on Channel 4 at 3.40pm.