Juddmonte International 2023: Paddington leads York quartet

Coral’s David Stevens said: “With Desert Crown ruled out of the race on Sunday, Paddington will face just three rivals in the Juddmonte International, and although that trio includes the impressive Royal Ascot winner, Mostahdaf, and the multiple Group One-winning filly, Nashwa, the odds suggest they will have to defy the odds if Paddington’s winning run is to be derailed on Wednesday.”

Sir Michael Stoute did not declare Bay Bridge, leaving him without a runner after last year’s Derby hero Desert Crown sustained a season-ending injury on Sunday.

He was being put through his paces on the Al Bahathri gallop when the injury occurred and was immediately transferred to the Newmarket Equine Hospital where the four-year-old will be operated on.

The son of Nathaniel’s Epsom triumph is the notable highlight in a career that has been plagued by setbacks and he has been seen just once since his finest hour, when losing his unbeaten record to Hukum in the Brigadier Gerard Stakes in May.

He subsequently missed the Prince of Wales’s Stakes at Royal Ascot due to a setback, with a leg infection preventing a rematch with Hukum in the King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Stakes last month.

This latest injury will rule the colt out for the rest of the season, with his racing career hanging in the balance.

“I’ve just been to see him and they will operate this morning,” said Bruce Raymond, racing manager for owner Saeed Suhail.

“It is a fetlock injury and he won’t be running again this year, that’s for sure.”

Juddmonte International 2023 odds

4/6 Paddington

2/1 Mostahdaf

9/1 Nashwa

18/1 The Foxes

Juddmonte International past winners’ list

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All odds and market correct at date of publication