O'Brien weighing up Juddmonte options
August 11, 2010 12:07:54 UK
Aidan O'Brien has confirmed that he is yet to finalise his plans for the Juddmonte International at York next Tuesday.
Harbinger's career-ending leg injury has left the race wide open with O'Brien's Rip Van Winkle (2.75 - to win outright) now fancied to claim victory in the Group One contest.
The Galileo colt was edged out by Canford Cliffs in the Sussex Stakes at Glorious Goodwood last month and his trainer is eyeing up a trip to the Knavesmire.
Another Ballydoyle inmate under consideration for the race is Irish Derby winner Cape Blanco (11.00), who came a distant second to Harbinger in the King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Stakes.
"We're looking at the Juddmonte with both Rip Van Winkle and Cape Blanco but it hasn't been decided whether we will run one or both," said O'Brien.
"They are both in good form and ready to run, we're just waiting for everyone to decide.
"It's not definite by any means - we have the Juddmonte and then the Irish Champion a couple of weeks later.
"We're looking at the Juddmonte with Rip Van Winkle - we're hoping he's going to turn up, we just haven't confirmed it definitely with everyone yet."
The main opposition to Rip Van Winkle appears to be the Prince Khalid Abdullah-owned duo of Byword (3.75) and Twice Over (7.00).
Byword was a narrow victor when the pair clashed in the Prince of Wales's Stakes at Royal Ascot and Abdullah's racing manager Teddy Grimthorpe expects a close contest again.
"Last year we thought Byword was very good but he was affected by a virus and this year he has come on in leaps and bounds," said Grimthorpe.
"He ran really well against Goldikova in the Prix d'Ispahan. She had put the race to bed, but they were 10 lengths ahead of the third.
"He travelled really well at Ascot. There's probably not a huge amount between him and Twice Over and it's going to be fascinating."
Twice Over's trainer, Henry Cecil, added: "I'm hoping he'll run very well. He's in good form and there'll be no excuses."
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