A cracking renewal of the Juddmonte International at York today (3.25), and Rip Van Winkle looks the one they all have to beat.
Aidain O'Brien's colt is a dual Group 1 winner who bounce back to form when getting collared close home by Canford Cliffs in the Sussex Stakes at Goodwood.
That was only his second run of the season, and there is sure to be bags of improvement to come from the son of Galileo who had been tenderly handled by connections.
He proved that he stayed today's 1m 2f journey when chasing home Sea The Stars in last year's Eclipse, and a repeat of that effort would be good enough to land the spoils.
The obvious danger is the progressive Byword, but he would have to improve further to beat an on-song Rip.
*Rip Van Winkle is currently a top priced 9-4
