York Ebor winner @ 100/30 & 2nd @ 20/1

The Juddmonte International Stakes at York's Ebor Festival on Wednesday was billed as the race of the season with Ombudsman going head to head with French Derby and Eclipse Stakes winner Constitution River. However, it was another three year old Item who upset the applecart collaring Almaqam in the dying strides and prevailing by a head with Aidan O'Brien's runner back in third. Unbeaten in three runs at the track, the winner's only blemish during his career was in the Epsom Derby where the trip and ground found him out. The Juddmonte owned colt was providing Andrew Balding with another major big race success fresh from Kalpana's win in the King George last month and Blue Bolt's Group 1 wins at Newmarket and in France. It has been a tremendous campaign for the Kingsclere outfit. 

In terms of the beaten horses, the tactics of the race were completely different to what was expected with both pacemakers failing to get to the front. One got the impression Action's role was to keep it tight towards the rear and ensure Ombudsman didn't have an easy time along the far rail, while Devil's Advocate's participation made no impact sitting in behind the leaders. John Gosden felt the rain softened ground compromised Ombudsman's chance as the dual Prince of Wales's Stakes winner failed to quicken once finally in daylight. The fact he was repeatedly hemmed in along the rail didn't aid his cause either with William Buick unable to wind his mount up when the tempo lifted. The Godolphin owned five year old wants a strong pace over ten furlongs on top of the ground and this messy affair on slow ground didn't play to his strengths. 

It was impossible not to be impressed by Maltese Cross' victory in the Group 2 Great Voltigeur Stakes under a five pounds penalty. William Haggas' charge emphatically turned the table's on Christmas Day after the pair finished first and second in the Epsom Derby. A close winner of the Grand Prix de Paris at Longchamp last time, the Sea The Stars colt was evidently none the worse for that outing sweltering conditions as he travelled beautifully here. Despite hitting the front too soon, he was always in control and only had to be pushed out to beat Pierre Bonnard by two lengths. His connections now face a decision over whether to aim him at the St Leger at Doncaster (12th September) or wait for the Prix de L'Arc de Triomphe at Longchamp (4th October). I would be favouring the former option. All being well, he stays in training next year, too.

Pierre Bonnard was one of the selections in the York Ebor Festival Update and, while Aidan O'Brien's colt ran well in second, there were no excuses. Wayne Lordan's mount had the run of the race when the gap opened up on the rail but couldn't match the finishing kick of Maltese Cross in receipt of weight. However, Small Fry redressed the balance with a cosy success in the staying handicap later in the day. Advised at 100/30, Joseph O'Brien's runner was heavily supported beforehand and his backers never had too many anxious moments. Making ground early in the straight, Dylan Browne McMonagle's mount took over inside the final quarter of a mile and was never going to be caught thereafter. A length winner, the runner-up Mountain Dream (20/1) was also selected in the Update providing subscribers with a good end to the opening day. There is more rain forecast for the Knavesmire overnight into Thursday morning. Friday and Saturday look like being much drier, although I suspect the damage may have been done by then.