Juddmonte International line-up down to six after Alenquer scopes dirty

Last year's runner-up Alenquer will miss the Group 1 Juddmonte International (3.35) at York on Wednesday after scoping dirty.

The four-year-old, who would have featured in a three-pronged William Haggas assault in the centrepiece, chased home Mishriff in the Knavesmire contest 12 months ago but connections have decided not to risk a return trip.

Alenquer achieved a career best when landing a breakthrough Group 1 win in the Tattersalls Gold Cup at the Curragh in May and was last seen finishing a close-up last of six in the Group 1 Coral-Eclipse.

His absence will leave just six runners in the Juddmonte International, headed by Alenquer's stablemate Baaeed.

Armando Duarte, racing manager to MM Stables, owners of Alenquer, said: "Unfortunately, Alenquer scoped dirty on Monday afternoon so he can't go to York. The owners are gutted about it, but we can't risk it – the horse is far too good to run off the back of a dirty scope. We have to do what's best by the horse and that's not going to York.

"There's no point in running him and him finishing nowhere – you have to be 110 per cent taking on horses like Baaeed and Mishriff."

Alenquer was 25-1 for the Juddmonte International and is a similar price for the Group 1 Irish Champion Stakes at Leopardstown on September 10.

Duarte added: "He'll probably head now for the Irish Champion Stakes and after that the Champion Stakes at Ascot or the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe if the owners want to go there."

As well as Baaeed, Haggas also fields Dubai Honour, a close second in the Group 2 Sky Bet Stakes at York last time, who will now be ridden by Tom Marquand in place of Cieren Fallon.

Read more on York's Ebor festival:

I'm taking on Baaeed - and here's why this horse can give him a proper fight

Confirmed runners and riders for York's Juddmonte International on Wednesday

Who wins the 2022 Juddmonte International at York based on previous trends?

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