David Egan: Mishriff will be very hard to beat in Juddmonte International

The main opponent to Mishriff in Wednesday's Juddmonte International (3.35) may have changed after Love was drafted in as a late replacement for the injured St Mark's Basilica by Aidan O'Brien, but jockey David Egan is not underestimating the task facing the King George runner-up at York.

St Mark's Basilica, the joint-highest rated horse in the world after his sublime Coral-Eclipse success, had been odds-on for the £1 million contest before developing an infection in a hind leg following an incident on the gallops.

The setback means stablemate Love, who produced a brilliant performance at last year's Ebor meeting when winning the Yorkshire Oaks, will face Mishriff once more after finishing a length and three-quarters behind the dual Group 1 winner in last month's King George, which was won by Adayar.

Egan has already ridden the John and Thady Gosden-trained Mishriff to victory in the $20m Saudi Cup – the world's richest race – and the Dubai Sheema Classic this year, and the jockey will be bidding for a first European Group 1 success in the Juddmonte International.

3.35 York Wednesday: Juddmonte International racecard and betting

Egan said: "St Mark's Basilica has been outstanding this season and it's unfortunate what's happened, and although it's one out of the way, it's still a very strong field and with a lot of good opposition to take on.

"Although she finished third last time, Love is a very special filly and it's never easy with these top-class fillies getting a weight allowance from the colts. It's all about concentrating on your own horse and everything has gone smoothly with Mishriff and his preparation has been good.

"If he can improve as much as he did in his first run in the Eclipse to the King George then he's going to be very hard to beat. It was a fantastic run finishing behind an absolute monster in Adayar giving him so much weight and we won't need to give the three-year-olds as much weight in the Juddmonte, which always helps."

David Egan lifts the Saudi Cup after steering Mishriff to victoryCredit: Francois Nel

The final field of seven will feature four three-year-olds led by star miler Alcohol Free, who steps up in trip for British Flat trainers' title-leader Andrew Balding.

Royal Ascot winners Mohaafeth and Alenquer represent red-hot trainer William Haggas, while Jim Bolger's Irish 2,000 Guineas hero Mac Swiney and the Kevin Ryan-trained four-year-old Juan Elcano complete the line-up.

Mishriff and Love will drop back in trip in the 1m2½f contest, which is part of the Qipco British Champions Series, and although some firms have them as 2-1 joint-favourites, William Hill and bet365 favour Mishriff at 7-4 with Love 9-4.

"Dropping back to a mile and a quarter will only play to Mishriff's strengths," added Egan. "He's such a good horse, he's good over any distance, but over a mile and a half, you have to restrain him to make sure he switches off.

"He stays the mile and a quarter really well and has a great turn of foot, so I think the trip is 100 per cent ideal for him."

St Mark's Basilica (left): ante-post favourite replaced by Love in the Juddmonte International

Revealing news of St Mark's Basilica's setback, O'Brien told the Racing Post on Monday morning: "St Mark's Basilica was doing his canter yesterday morning, he lost his front shoe and it caught the front of his near-fore hind joint, his fetlock joint, and cut him.

"We did bloods there this morning to check that it hadn't got infected or anything, and when the bloods came up it showed that it had got infected. We did that at 6.30am this morning and the infection is there, so it doesn't give us any choice.

"He won't be running at York, and we are going to declare Love instead. She was supposed to go for the Prix Jean Romanet on Sunday at Deauville, so she will go for the Juddmonte now instead.

"St Mark's Basilica will now go on antibiotics and the Irish Champion Stakes would be the obvious target for him now."

St Mark's Basilica could clash with Tarnawa at Leopardstown on September 11 after Dermot Weld recently indicated the Longines Irish Champions Weekend highlight could be a target for last year's Breeders' Cup Turf winner.

Juddmonte International
Paddy Power: 15-8 Mishriff, 2 Love, 11-2 Mohaafeth, 6 Alcohol Free, 12 Alenquer, 14 Mac Swiney, 40 Juan Elcano

Analysis: 'In losing one great clash, we've gained another through Love's presence'

It goes to show the depth of Aidan O'Brien's ranks that he can call on such a quality substitute like Love at the 11th hour, with Coolmore's insurance policy of leaving her in the race obviously paying off.

There's no getting away from the disappointment that we won't see one of the world's most exciting performers in action – St Mark's Basilica was clearly the star appeal of the race – but the Juddmonte International still remains an intriguing affair, with so many questions still to be answered.

Will Alcohol Free stay the trip, given her free-going ways? Do Mohaafeth and Alenquer belong at this level? Has Mac Swiney finally found his ideal distance or is testing ground a definite requirement for him?

Ultimately Mishriff looks to have the most solid credentials and holds an edge over Love on their King George form, but whether we saw the best of last year's Oaks heroine on that occasion remains to be seen.

While losing one great clash through the absence of St Mark's Basilica, we have gained another with the presence of Love.

The Juddmonte International always seems to deliver and there's little reason to believe this year will be any different.
Mark Boylan

Confirmed runners and riders for the Juddmonte International

Juan ElcanoAndrea Atzeni
MishriffDavid Egan
LoveRyan Moore
AlenquerTom Marquand
Mac SwineyKevin Manning
MohaafethJim Crowley
Alcohol FreeOisin Murphy

Read more on the Ebor festival:

Eight experts pick out their dark horses to follow at York this week

What's on this week: four brilliant days at York headlined by Group 1 stars

'She's thriving so why not' – Alcohol Free to run in Juddmonte International

All the essential information for York's Ebor Festival 2021

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