Juddmonte International Preview

It has been billed as Britain's Race of the Year, and it is hard to argue with that description. The Juddmonte International at York on Wednesday looks a cracker in prospect.

So rare is it for a Derby winner to clash with the 2000 Guineas winner, you have to go back 23 years to find the last time it occurred. Rodrigo De Triano, who starred at Newmarket, won that 1992 renewal, with much-travelled Dr Devious, the Epsom hero, back in fourth.

That is the danger when a race is built up as an outright clash between two big names. They don't always finish one-two, which is always hard to explain to casual observers of our great sport.

This year, the unbeaten Golden Horn, who won the Derby and the Eclipse, clashes with Gleneagles, the 2000 Guineas and St James's Palace Stakes winner. They are two outstanding colts, and their meeting at a distance of a mile and a quarter would seem perfect to test their respective qualities.

But, at this point, I should also mention that there is another colt waiting in the wings, poised to make his mark at the highest level, namely Time Test, who runs in the colours of the race sponsor.

There were few more visually impressive winners at Royal Ascot than the Roger Charlton-trained three-year-old, who won the G3 Tercentenary Stakes with plenty in hand.

So, all the ingredients are there to make this a contest that will live long in the memory.

There are also two fascinating side issues. One is that both Golden Horn and Gleneagles come to Knavesmire having missed scheduled engagements, in Ascot's King George VI and Queen Elizabeth and Goodwood's Sussex Stakes, respectively, because connections deemed the ground at those tracks unsuitable.

The other is that Joseph O'Brien will be attempting to ride at his very lightest, 8st 12lb, on Gleneagles. This dual Derby-winning jockey, who at 6ft is surely one of the tallest Flat jockeys ever to have ridden at G1 level, will be eager to make his mark in this clash of the Titans.

The way the race is run will be important. With the inclusion of Dick Doughtywylie in the field as pacemaker for Golden Horn, it is anticipated that trainer John Gosden will want a fast gallop, with the pressure applied a long way from home.

Cougar Mountain is clearly in the line-up to adopt a similar role for the Gleneagles camp.

Under these circumstances, Golden Horn has the attributes to excel. The son of Darley stallion Cape Cross is a truly classy Derby winner, who has already proven himself against the older horses.

I see Time Test as his principal danger, though I believe Gleneagles will not be far behind.

The Grey Gatsby is also worth an honourable mention because of his prowess at York. As a Dante Stakes winner, this admirable middle-distance horse could easily threaten the big names as some stage in the home straight.

Race of the Year? Nobody in his right mind would argue otherwise, at this stage.