Churchill set for York as stablemate Caravaggio returns 'very sore'

Dual Classic winner Churchill is poised to step up in trip and take on his elders in the £1 million Juddmonte International Stakes at York a fortnight on Wednesday, trainer Aidan O'Brien has revealed.

After the Racing Post broke the news that the colt was in the frame to lead the Ballydoyle assault on the Ebor meeting's showpiece race, rather than head to Deauville this weekend for the Jacques le Marois bookmakers reacted by cutting Churchill to 5-1 (from 6) for the 1m2½f York contest, while lengthening stablemates Highland Reel, Cliffs Of Moher and Winter.

Churchill was a late non-runner in the Sussex Stakes at Goodwood last week due to the testing conditions.

O'Brien said: "We decided not to run Churchill in the Sussex Stakes last week because of the ground.

"We had the option of sending him to France for the Prix Jacques le Marois on Sunday, but that's now unlikely and it's very possible his next race will be the Juddmonte International."

Churchill needs to bounce back from an odds-on defeat in the St James's Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot in June. The winner of that contest, Barney Roy, who was subsequently a close second in the Eclipse, heads the York market at 3-1.

His trainer Richard Hannon confirmed on Monday he was bound for the Knavesmire, rather than the Marois.

Eclipse winner Ulysses, subsequently runner-up in the King George, is second favourite for the International at 4-1, while Highland Reel was eased out to 7-1 (from 5), Winter to 8-1 (from 7) and Cliffs Of Moher 14-1 (from 10).

With Churchill, Barney Roy and Le Brivido – who now has the Moulin next month on his agenda after a setback – all on the Marois missing list, Al Wukair was cut to 6-4 favourite by Paddy Power. Ribchester is a 2-1 chance.

Barney Roy (left) and Ulysses (right) could renew their Coral-Eclipse rivalry in the Juddmonte InternationalCredit: Hugh Routledge

Richard Fahey, trainer of Ribchester, who was second in the Sussex last week, said the big-name absences would not sway his thinking in whether Godolphin's colt lines up at Deauville on Sunday.

"I'm still taking my time," he said. "It's got nothing to do with these other horses coming out, it's got to do with how the horse is, and he seems fine at the moment."

Caravaggio 'very sore' following De Gheest flop

O'Brien, meanwhile, reported Caravaggio "very sore" following his disappointing performance in the Prix Maurice de Gheest at Deauville on Sunday, when the dual Group 1 winner could finish only sixth.

"We think there could be an issue with his shoes and that he's not getting proper traction when he races," said O'Brien. "He was very sore in front this morning.

"Before he ran in the July Cup we put on different shoes with rubber between his feet and the shoes. We'll give him a week to ten days before reviewing the situation and making plans. Hopefully we'll be able to resolve the problem.

Caravaggio: 'Maybe I ran him back a bit quick after Newmarket. Ryan [Moore] said he was a bit quiet in himself,' reported Aidan O'BrienCredit: Alan Crowhurst

"After what happened at Newmarket, and again at Deauville, I'd say its unlikely he'll be going to Australia for the Everest in October."

Caravaggio, who O'Brien has described as the quickest horse he has trained, won the Commonwealth Cup at Royal Ascot before finishing fourth in the July Cup.

Juddmonte International card