Benbatl worthy of his place in impressive Juddmonte line-up

Godolphin trainer Saeed bin Suroor has warned that stablemates Benbatl and Thunder Snow should not be overlooked in Wednesday’s G1 Juddmonte International, highlight of the first day of the popular Ebor meeting in York, UK.

While conceding that Thunder Snow would probably come on greatly for the run, Saeed emphasised that Benbatl had done particularly well since his recent G1 victory in Germany and was primed for a good showing.

“Oisin Murphy came in to ride Benbatl in his work and was impressed,” Saeed reported.

“He’s ready to go but he wouldn’t like the ground too fast,” he added.

He is one of eight runners in the York showpiece, the race that usually establishes the mood for the four consecutive days racing.

Poet’s Word, rated the second best horse in the world after Winx, heads the field that includes Roaring Lion, the G1 Eclipse winner and his runner-up Saxon Warrior, plus G1 Irish Derby winner Latrobe, as well as the G1 St James’s Palace winner Without Parole.

Murphy will ride the John Gosden-trained Roaring Lion, leaving the mount on Benbatl to former champion Jim Crowley.

Thunder Snow will be having his first run since his memorable triumph in the G1 Dubai World Cup at Meydan in March. Regular partner Christophe Soumillon will again be in the saddle.

“His Highness Sheikh Mohammed is keen for Thunder Snow to go for the G1 Breeders’ Cup Classic, and after York, he will have just one more run before Churchill Downs,” he added.

Saeed and Godolphin will be looking for their fifth win in the Juddmonte International —  having won it with Halling (1995-96), Sakhee (2001) and Sulamani (2004).