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

Star miler AlcoholFree will step up in trip and take on St Mark's Basilica in Wednesday’s Juddmonte International at York.

The Coronation Stakes winner beat top-class colt Poetic Flare in the Qatar Sussex Stakes at Goodwood last month, prompting owner Jeff Smith to say she was “60-40” to head to York.

Speaking at Newbury on Saturday, trainer Andrew Balding said: "We've just made a decision that she will run. We've come this far and Jeff is never one to shy away from a challenge.

“The filly is in great form and that's the most important thing. She's thriving at the moment so why not? If she doesn't stay, she doesn't stay."

Juddmonte International racecard and betting

The daughter of No Nay Never could give Balding the chance to extend his trainers' championship lead in the £1 million Group 1, for which St Mark's Basilica is odds-on with most firms.

Available at 14-1 earlier this week, Alcohol Free is now a top-priced 9-1 for the International, in which Mishriff is the general 5-2 second favourite.

Earlier this week, Smith said: "The biggest reason to run in the International is there is absolutely nothing to lose. She has won three Group 1s, and if she doesn't stay the distance at York, she doesn't stay.

"We need to consider other options and assess the race's likely strength in depth, but if she could beat St Mark's Basilica, it really would be quite something."

Read more:

Glass Slippers to miss Nunthorpe ahead of Flying Five defence

Social media abuse made Ciaran Gethings 'ashamed' to show his face

Yorkshire Oaks confirmations: Snowfall on course to repeat Enable heroics

Watch live races through the Racing Post. Log in to your bookmaker account and look on the racecards for eligible races. Click the red 'Watch live now' icon and they're off! Find out how here