York Ebor Festival 2015: Juddmonte International Stakes preview (15.40)

Classic winners Gleneagles and Golden Horn go ahead-to-head in a cracking renewal of the Juddmonte Stakes at York (15.40), and the former is taken to come out on and bag another Group 1 success.

The Aidan O’Brien trained colt is a five-time Group 1 winner, albeit disqualified in one of those when landing the Prix Jean-Luc Lagadare at Longchamp as a juvenile, and put in a stunning display on seasonal reappearance when landing the 2000 Guineas at Newmarket.

After racing in touch on the stands side, Gleneagles made smooth headway two from home to take up the running at the furlong marker and quicken clear to beat Territories by 2 1/4 lengths.

That turn of pace shown by Gleneagles marked him out as something very special, and the beautifully bred son of Galileo followed up with success in the Irish equivalent at the Curragh.

The three-year-old didn’t get the clearest of passages, but again showed a smart turn of foot to mow down the leaders and get up and score by 3/4 of a length.

Gleneagles then had little difficulty landing the Group 1 St James’s Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot when last seen in action, travelling powerfully throughout an scooting clear in impressive fashion a furlong from home to win easily by 2 1/2 lengths.

Connections have now decided to gamble and step Gleneagles up to 1m 2f for the first time, but he is bred to get the trip and I can’t see it being a problem.

Golden Horn is unbeaten in five starts and put in a scintillating performance when landing the Investec Derby at Epsom by 3 1/2 lengths.