Great Voltigeur favourite Alenquer to contest York's Juddmonte International

Alenquer, winner of the King Edward VII Stakes at Royal Ascot and favourite for next week's Sky Bet Great Voltigeur Stakes, will instead contest the Juddmonte International at York on Wednesday.

Trained by William Haggas, who will also saddle Mohaafeth in the Juddmonte International, Alenquer followed up his Royal Ascot success with a third behind Hurricane Lane in the Group 1 Grand Prix de Paris.

The three-year-old had been the 4-1 favourite for the Group 2 Great Voltigeur, but Armando Duarte, racing manager for owners MM Stables, said: "The plan is to run Alenquer in the Juddmonte International. We had originally considered the Great Voltigeur, but as we have decided against running him in the St Leger, there seemed little point.

“It's a tough race, going back in trip, but we're very happy with him and he deserves to take his chance."

Juddmonte International racecard and betting
Sky Bet Great Voltigeur racecard and betting

Alenquer and Mohaafeth were among nine horses confirmed on Thursday for the Juddmonte International, the highlight of day one of the Welcome to Yorkshire Ebor festival, alongside the likes of Mishriff, Mac Swiney, St Mark’s Basilica and Alcohol Free.

Mohaafeth: another intended Juddmonte International runner for William HaggasCredit: Alan Crowhurst (Getty Images)

Mohaafeth finished third in the Group 2 York Stakes last time out, having landed the Group 3 Hampton Court Stakes at Royal Ascot the time before, and connections are keen to try him at the top level.

Richard Hills, assistant racing manager to owner Shadwell Estates, said on Thursday: "Mohaafeth worked nicely this morning on the Al Bahathri Polytrack and the plan is to run him in the Juddmonte International. He's not tested his ability at Group 1 level yet but we're keen to have a crack at it and hopefully the rain stays away as he needs it quick.

“Obviously it looks a tough race with St Mark's Basilica in there, who has already won a 2,000 Guineas and a Derby in France, and the Eclipse, and this will tell us whether our horse is a Group 1 horse or not."

In the Great Voltigeur, Aidan O’Brien has four of the nine horses remaining including High Definition and Sir Lamorak.

One Ballydoyle contender set to bypass an upcoming top-level target is Prix Rothschild heroine Mother Earth, with O'Brien signalling she is likely to sidestep Sunday's Prix Jacques le Marois.

Mother Earth: sidesteps Australia in favour of AmericaCredit: France Galop / Scoop Dyga

"We were thinking about running her but she probably won't go there," said her trainer after ten runners stood their ground on Thursday for the Deauville Group 1.

"It's just coming up a little bit too quick for her so we'll probably give her a bit more time."

O'Brien added: "Order Of Australia is likely to run. Ryan [Moore] should be back from America to ride him on Sunday."

It could be a lucrative US trip to Arlington on Saturday night for the Coolmore camp, with Santa Barbara one of seven declared for the $400,000 Grade 1 Beverly D Stakes (10.49).

Cox Plate runner-up Armory will face nine rivals, including Space Traveller making his first start for Brendan Walsh, in the $600,000 Mr D Stakes (12.13) – the Grade 1 previously known as the Arlington Million.

O'Brien has never won the Beverly D before but has plundered the Arlington Million twice with Powerscourt (2005) and Cape Blanco (2011), with the first-named controversially demoted to fourth a year earlier due to interference.

Juddmonte International confirmations

Juan Elcano Roger Varian
Mishriff John & Thady Gosden
Love Aidan O’Brien
Alenquer William Haggas
Mac Swiney Jim Bolger
Mohaafeth William Haggas
St Mark’s Basilica Aidan O’Brien
Alcohol Free Andrew Balding
Joan Of Arc Aidan O’Brien

Great Voltigeur confirmations

Kemari Charlie Appleby
High Definition Aidan O'Brien
Scope Ralph Beckett
Sir Lamorak Aidan O'Brien
Sir Lucan Aidan O'Brien
The Mediterranean Aidan O'Brien
Third Realm Roger Varian
Yibir Charlie Appleby
Youth Spirit Andrew Balding

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