The four-day Ebor Festival begins at York on Wednesday and the Juddmonte International is the headline act on day one on the Knavesmire.
Can anything prevent Paddington from completing an incredible Group 1 five-timer for Aidan O'Brien and Ryan Moore in what has already been a stunning summer for 'The Bear'? He faces just three rivals at York.
Enda McElhinney provides his analysis on the big race as well as some other selections on day one at York's marquee meeting, where they race from 1.50-5.20, with the Juddmonte International off at 3.35.
3.35 – Juddmonte International Stakes (Group 1, 1m2½f)
Baaeed faced five rivals when he won this contest in fine style a year ago and it's disappointing that PADDINGTON must beat only three in his quest for a fifth straight Group 1 success and a seventh consecutive win in his eight-race career.
The impressive Siyouni colt began this season winning a Naas handicap over 7f on heavy ground off a mark of 97 – how he looks thrown into that arena now.
A pair of Curragh wins followed, including the Irish 2000 Guineas, and he swatted aside Newmarket's Guineas winner Chaldean in the St James's Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot in June.
In his two wins since, he has managed himself well in small fields like this one, beating Emily Upjohn in a four-runner Eclipse at Sandown over 1m2f in July and then dispatching four rivals in the Sussex at Glorious Goodwood back over a mile.
Paddington is seemingly thriving on his races and now has the chance to emulate one of his great Ballydoyle predecessors, Giant's Causeway, who won this race 23 years ago after victory in the St James's Palace, Eclipse and Sussex Stakes.
Reasons to oppose 'The Bear' are thin on the ground, although having firm in the going description - as is currently the case - will be a first.
His main threat, on the betting at least, is Mostahdaf – one of two John & Thady Gosden-trained rivals keen to take him on. The five-year-old son of Frankel comes here off a career-best in the Prince Of Wales's Stakes at Ascot in June when he pulled away from Luxembourg to win in clear-cut fashion.
That's enough to have him top-rated by 3lb entering this, although he has to concede 7lb to Paddington. The form of that Ascot race looks bruised after taking plenty of knocks since and this will require a special effort from Frankie Dettori to get the job done.
Nashwa and Hollie Doyle also line out for Clarehaven. They won last month's Falmouth at Newmarket in good style but were beaten since in the defence of the Nassau at Goodwood, albeit when staying on well from a poor position. The 4YO Frankel filly is proven at the top level against her own sex and this is a daring call to contest this race.
Completing the field is The Foxes for Andrew Balding, Oisin Murphy and King Power Racing. The Churchill colt, like Paddington, is just a three-year-old and is a veteran of only eight starts.
One of those saw him winning the Dante over this course and distance in May. Things didn't go to plan following a slow start in the Derby at Epsom afterwards but he returns to York having since finished well for second in the Belmont Derby in America last month.
Fast ground holds no fears for him now and, with that C&D win in mind, the outsider of this quartet could run a big race back on the Knavesmire.
2.25 - Tattersalls Acomb Stakes (Group 3, 7f)
A field of six contest the Acomb, all with winning form on their light CVs and, in truth, each have something of a claim to success here in an open contest.
William Haggas has won this race twice since 2011 and Loose Cannon showed a good attitude when making a winning debut for his team over C&D last month. The Territories colt sports a tongue-tie now and is respected rising in class.
Charlie Hills is another trainer with two recent wins, since 2014, and he'll have leading hopes that Cogitate can step forward after a winning debut at Newbury in July.
Hot Fuss and Indian Run were winners at Salisbury and Ascot last time for Tom Dascombe and Eve Johnson-Houghton respectively while Edwardian stepped up on his debut effort to win readily at Naas four weeks ago for Aidan O'Brien. Surprisingly, the Irish trainer landed the second of his two wins in this all the way back in 2000.
The one they may all have to beat is BALLYMOUNT BOY for Adrian Keatley. He landed a Hamilton maiden on his second start in July and then finished best when a length inferior to Vandeek in the soft-ground Richmond Stakes at Glorious Goodwood over 6f.
Simon & Ed Crisford's charge has bagged the Group 1 Prix Morny since in France and Ballymount Boy looks the type to improve once more upped to this 7f trip, while the forecast quicker surface should hold no fears for Jason Hart's partner.
SELECTION: BALLYMOUNT BOY @ 9/4
3.00 - Great Voltigeur Stakes (Group 2, 1m4f)
John Gosden has won this contest three times since 2012 and Frankie Dettori has been on board his two most recent winners, Cracksman (2017) and Logician (2019).
The old partnership have their last tilt at the Great Voltigeur with unbeaten Royal Ascot winner GREGORY, the current ante-post favourite for next month's St Leger at Doncaster.
The son of Golden Horn won the Listed Cocked Hat Stakes at Goodwood in May over 1m3f and justified favouritism in the Queen's Vase at Ascot in June upped to 1m6f.
There was a moment in that race where Dettori had to get serious but ultimately they won well. The drop in trip isn't a major worry here, especially as they can get racing a long way out at York and Dettori will no doubt be eager to make this a stamina test.
Charlie Appleby's Castle Way has won his last three – all at Newmarket – and is another with strong staying credentials but, for now, Gregory may just have a class edge on him.
