Full guide to the Juddmonte International entries

Hawkbill will attempt to extend his winning sequence to seven in the Juddmonte International Stakes. Picture: Racingfotos.com

Six Group 1 winners remain in contention for the Juddmonte International Stakes at York on Wednesday.

The QIPCO British Champions Series showpiece, over an extended mile and a quarter,  carries prize money of £963,750 but who is going to scoop it? Here is our guide to all the runners.

POSTPONED

Trainer: Roger Varian

General odds: 11-10 favourite

Unbeaten in the past year, winning two Group 1 prizes and three Group 2s in that time. Missed intended defence of the King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot last month (bad scope four days before) but better than ever on past two starts, winning the Queen Elizabeth II Coronation Cup at Epsom in commanding style after similarly emphatic display in Dubai. The drop in distance asks a question (0/4 over a mile and a quarter) but not short of pace and will be tough nut to crack if bringing his A-Game with him.

HAWKBILL

Trainer: Charlie Appleby

General odds: 7-2

Has thrived in the past year and seeking a seventh successive victory. Showed he belongs at the highest level when digging deep to beat The Gurkha and Time Test in the Coral-Eclipse at Sandown last time. That pair have both bolstered the form with subsequent big-race wins. Clearly well served by ten furlongs and, while at home on softish ground, is bred to be even more effective on quick ground.

HIGHLAND REEL

Trainer: Aidan O’Brien

General odds: 5-1

Tough globetrotter scooped grade one prizes in America and Hong Kong last year. Has continued to rack up the air miles this year but has shone closer to home on past two starts, making all in the King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Stakes last time after being beaten a head by Dartmouth in the Hardwicke Stakes on his previous start. Drop back to ten furlongs no obvious help.

THE GREY GATSBY

Trainer: Kevin Ryan

General odds: 10-1

Dual Group 1 winner over a mile and a quarter in 2014 (won French Derby and QIPCO Irish Champion Stakes) but has failed to add to that tally since despite a string of fine efforts. Third in this contest last year (softish ground not ideal for him) after finishing runner-up 12 months earlier. No surprise if he puts up another bold show, especially if the ground is quick.

MUTAKAYYEF

Trainer: William Haggas

General odds: 14-1

Has shown improved form since being gelded and dropped to a mile this season – putting up a career best when quickening clear of Dutch Connection (the subsequent Lennox Stakes winner) in the Group 2 Fred Cowley MBE Memorial Summer Mile at Ascot. Hard to ignore in present mood but moving back up in distance is a niggle.

WINGS OF DESIRE

Trainer: John Gosden

General odds: 16-1

Another who has made big strides this term after being unraced as a juvenile. Won the Dante over course and distance in May before finishing fourth in the Derby, when the softish going and track possibly not ideal. Chased home Highland Reel in the King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Stakes, keeping on stoutly behind enterprisingly ridden winner. Probably still more to come.

DARIYAN

Trainer: Alain De Royer-Dupre

General odds: 20-1

Smart French-trained four-year-old who landed the Group 1 Prix Ganay at Saint-Cloud at the beginning of May. Put in place behind Highland Reel and Postponed (twice) before that, though, and rare lacklustre effort latest, albeit drop to a mile was probably against him.

MY DREAM BOAT

Trainer: Clive Cox

General odds: 20-1

Raised his game when edging out Found by a head in the Group 1 Prince of Wales’s Stakes at Royal Ascot in June, when the softish ground played to his strengths. Perhaps still feeling the effects of that contest when only fifth behind Hawkbill in the Coral-Eclipse last time. Needs some give underfoot to show his best and likely to miss the race if the going is deemed too quick.

ALMODOVAR

Trainer: David Lanigan

General odds: 25-1

Progressive front-runner far from disgraced when third (beaten about three lengths) behind Dartmouth and Highland Reel on first venture into pattern company in the Hardwicke Stakes at Royal Ascot. Should be more to come (big gelding who has had only six runs) and the drop back to a mile and a quarter is unlikely to inconvenience him.

ARAB SPRING

Trainer: Sir Michael Stoute

General odds: 25-1

Lightly raced six-year-old but has done little wrong when making it to the track, shaping well after when third in the Group 3 Betfred Rose of Lancaster Stakes after more than a year off at Haydock this month. Needs to build on that and it could be that a mile and a half suits him better.

SIR ISAAC NEWTON  

Trainer: Aidan O’Brien

General odds: 25-1

Frustrating to follow until landing the Wolferton Handicap at Royal Ascot and then scooping a Group 3 contest at the Curragh eight days later. Limitations seemed exposed when fourth in the King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Stakes last time but likely to be more at home back over this shorter trip.

EXOSPHERE

Trainer: Sir Michael Stoute

General odds: 33-1

Owned by the race sponsor. Thrashed Simple Verse and Big Orange in the Group 2 Dunaden At Overbury Jockey Club Stakes at Newmarket on his return but fluffed his lines in the Hardwicke Stakes and no obvious excuse when a one-paced third behind Big Orange in the Group 2 Princess Of Wales’s Arqana Stakes at Newmarket latest. Drops down in distance.

KING BOLETTE

Trainer: Roger Varian

General odds: 66-1

Useful middle-distance performer (rated 102) who has won handicaps at Ascot and Haydock over 1m4f this year. Merely entered as a pacemaker for Postponed, who is in the same ownership.