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Monday’s racing round-up includes final declarations for the Group 1 Juddmonte International Stakes at York and a major owner-trainer split…
City Of Troy will take on twelve rivals after declarations were confirmed for the Group 1 Juddmonte International at York on Wednesday. The Aidan O'Brien-trained Epsom Derby and Coral Eclipse hero is set to face a strong international challenge with the French raider Calandagan, who was so impressive at Royal Ascot for Francis-Henri Graffard joined by Japanese St Leger winner Durezza. Ralph Beckett's filly Bluestocking has opted to take her chance instead of heading to the Yorkshire Oaks, while Ambiente Friendly, who finished runnerup in the Epsom Derby, drops back to ten furlongs.
Elsewhere on the opening day at York next week, next year's 2000 Guineas and Derby favourites Ruling Court and The Lion In Winter are set to clash in the Tattersalls Acomb Stakes. The former, a 2.3 million euro purchase from Arqana was so impressive when winning on debut at Sandown for Charlie Appleby, while the latter also created a huge impression by pulling away to land a Curragh maiden by two and a quarter lengths first time out for team Ballydoyle.
Roger Varian confirmed that leading owner Sheikh Mohammed Obaid has removed all 10 horses of his horses that were in training at Carlburg Stables in Newmarket. The pair teamed up to land seven Group 1s over the years, with Postponed arguably the most notable following victories in the Sheema Classic, Coronation Cup and Juddmonte International in 2016. Ajman Princess' Prix Jean Romanet (2017) success and Defoe's Coronation Cup and Hardwicke Stakes victories were other notable triumphs at the top level.
28 horses were confirmed at the five-day stage for the Sky Bet Ebor Handicap at York on Saturday. The top-weight Harbour Wind forms part of a strong Irish contingent, with ante-post favourite Queenstown, Magical Zoe, Yashin and Gavin Cromwell's smart dual-purpose performer My Mate Mozzie all interesting contenders from across the Irish channel.