Juddmonte International ante-post tip: Champion too big at 50s

This week's action at Glorious Goodwood whetted the appetite for the next clash between Bow Echo and Gstaad, and also cemented Diamond Necklace's place alongside – or at least very close to - Constitution River at the top of the middle-distance three-year-olds at Ballydoyle. 

However, none of those mentioned are particularly likely to head to York in a few weeks' time for the Juddmonte International Stakes, with the exception of Constitution River who is currently the clear second-favourite behind Ombudsman. 

Constitution River wouldn't be the first to be described by Aidan O'Brien as "a very special horse", but the Coral-Eclipse winner did look on his way to becoming one when easily winning a below-par renewal at Sandown last month. 

Last year's winner Ombudsman, meanwhile, is now the highest-rated horse in Europe following the relative travails of old foe Calandagan. His win at Royal Ascot, where he came well clear of the very classy Minnie Hauk, has much more substance, and he's clearly the one to beat. But neither makes any appeal from an ante-post portfolio point of view. 

Calandagan had a hard race when second to Ascot specialist Kalpana in the King George, so with connections building his campaign around the Japan Cup I can't see him turning up here, a comment that also applies to the progressive Purview who has won both starts this year at a lower level but had the Irish Champion Stakes nominated as the next rise in grade rather than this. 

Of more interest is the same owner's Item who was cut for this following his return to form in the Sky Bet York Stakes. Unbeaten in two starts over this C&D, he's not one to take lightly having shown that his Derby experience didn't leave a scar, and his handler Andrew Balding – trainer of Kalpana and Blue Bolt mongst many other Group winners - is having a fantastic season.

However, I think there's some each-way value to be had with a horse who finished behind Item last time: ROYAL CHAMPION. 

At the age of eight, it would be foolish to think that Karl Burke's flagbearer will improve, but he's actually the fourth-highest rated of the British runners at the time of writing and he had to carry a penalty last time where he travelled well until fading on his first start for three months; he is 4 lb better off with Item here. 

Royal Champion beat Almaqam (who I really like but can't see him getting his ground here) in the York Stakes last season, and his performances on the continent this winter – including a Group 1 win in Saudia Arabia and a close-up fourth to Romantic Warrior in the QEII Cup at Sha Tin – suggest that he won't be out of place back at the top table. 

Of course, there's a chance that he could be saved for the Irish Champion in which he was third last year in a non-vintage renewal, or a lesser Group contest, but the Leopardstown event looks like being potentially as hot as this.  

Royal Champion didn't feature in the entries for the International last year, but his strong book of course form on the Knavesmire (and a further increase in prize money in this race this year) could hopefully sway the decision toward staying at home at this stage of his campaign, which will no doubt involve more travelling on the continent over the winter. 

It's also worth noting that all but two of the renewals of this race this century had single-figure fields, with four of the last six featuring six runners or less. Clearly, it's not easy prize money to pick up, but backing him each-way now at 50s with three places on offer makes a lot more appeal than similar odds on the day should both of the leading contenders pitch up in a race that could cut up to less than eight runners. 

Juddmonte International Stakes: ROYAL CHAMPION each-way at 50-1 (General).