TWICE OVER GETS INTERNATIONAL VOTE

Wednesday's Juddmonte International Stakes at York looks a very strong renewal - not so much numerically but there are some very good horses in the field.

Sir Henry Cecil is doubly represented by his superb filly Midday, who won her third Nassau Stakes last time at Goodwood, and by Twice Over, who was runner-up in this race 12 months ago when narrowly beaten by Rip Van Winkle.

He returned to something like his best form over course and distance last time and some of that race is working out quite well.

He had a little lull in between running in the Dubai World Cup and that race at York last time but if he is back to his best then Twice Over could go very close again.

It is very hard to choose between him and Midday as they have similar ratings and are of similar quality but If Twice Over is back to his best, he could just have the edge over his stablemate.

The big rivals are the Aidan O'Brien pair Await The Dawn and Roderic O' Connor, who have a pacemaker in Windsor Palace.

Await The Dawn is being aimed at the Breeders' Cup Classic at the end of the year and was a very impressive winner at Chester on his reappearance before he followed up in the Hardwicke Stakes at Royal Ascot.

Connections were a little worried before the Hardwicke Stakes about too much cut in the ground and the going at York is currently good to soft so I just wonder whether he will be suited by conditions - he is also dropping back in trip as well and is up in class.

He is a horse of immense potential but still has to prove it at this very high level so I am going to pass him over on this occasion and opt for Twice Over just ahead of Midday.

The Great Voltigeur Stakes is a trial for the Ladbrokes St Leger at Doncaster and was won last year by Rewilding.

This year's race is dominated by Aidan O'Brien's Seville, who has got much the best form coming into the event.

He was second on the course earlier in the season behind Carlton House in the Dante Stakes then blew out in the Epsom Derby but has subsequently run second to stablemate Treasure Beach in the Irish Derby.

He was also second to Meandre in the Grand Prix de Paris and that form really stands out so I expect him to endorse his claims for the St Leger here.

Namibian could be the big danger as he is incredibly tough and really impressed in terms of his attitude when winning the Queen's Vase at Royal Ascot and then following up in the Gordon Stakes at Goodwood.

The unexposed Sea Moon won a handicap on the course off a rating of 92 earlier in the season and clearly has to step up a good deal on that but is highly regarded and very well bred out of the family of past St Leger winner Brian Boru.

Alkazeem and Thimaar are also open to a good deal of improvement but as things stand, they all have a long way to go to match the credentials of Seville and he looks a worthy favourite.

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