Balding ready to test Item in Juddmonte International Item has been backed to make his presence felt in an all-star Juddmonte International Stakes when he puts his unbeaten York record to the test against Constitution River and defending champion Ombudsman. Andrew Balding’s Dante hero left Derby disappointment behind when returning to the Knavesmire for the Sky Bet York Stakes last month and the Kingsclere handler is ready to test his colt’s mettle in what is typically one of the hottest Group One events of summer. Balding said: “He’s a horse we’ve always had huge belief in. Bar Epsom, Derby Day, on which the ground was not to his liking, he’s got a flawless record. “He’s won his other four starts and was quite impressive last time at York, given that the race probably wasn’t run ideally to suit him. “But we’re there with the best older horse in Europe and probably the best three-year-old in Europe. It’s no easy task. But it would be great to go there and see how he can pitch in against those two.” On course to join Item on a trip north is fellow Juddmonte-owned star Kalpana, who is thriving this term and seeks to add to the King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Stakes crown she picked up at Ascot in the Legends Global Yorkshire Oaks. Balding added: “I’m very pleased with how she’s moving and how her appetite has been since Ascot. “She’s got a big piece of work to do prior to confirming that we’re going to York. But as long as that goes well, we’re really looking forward to it.” Balding and Juddmonte could also be represented in the £500,000 Sky Bet Ebor where Tarriance will bid to not only improve on his recent fourth in handicap company at Goodwood, but add to the Melrose he won on the same York card 12 months ago. “I thought he ran an excellent race last time. He’d been off the track for a bit because we were saving him for the Ebor and that was very much an intended break,” said the Kingsclere handler. “We got him up early to go to Saudi in the winter and he then ran well in the Yorkshire Cup, I thought. “We decided after that – having won the Melrose last year – that this was his primary target and couldn’t have been happier with his prep run or how he’s come out of it.” The Park House Stables handler is poised to be well-represented across the four-day Ebor Festival and also in contention for an appearance on the Knavesmire is defending champion Never So Brave, Marvelman and Flora Of Bermuda as Balding holds a strong hand for the Sky Bet City of York Stakes. The latter brings an impeccable course record to the table and having followed up Summer Stakes success when stepping up to seven furlongs in the Oak Tree Stakes at Goodwood, the Wathnan Racing-owned filly arrives at the peak of her powers. Balding added: “I think the one that would certainly go would be Flora Of Bermuda, who seems to be effective on any ground. She won the Oak Tree well, showing that she stays seven furlongs. “She’s won twice at York before over six furlongs and it looks the perfect spot for her, really. She’s not won a Group One yet, but she’s been placed in a couple. “Marvelman, I think he’s a very smart horse but he’s better with give in the ground. His participation would depend on the going. “Never So Brave has been left in the Hungerford at Newbury on Saturday and we’ll have that as an option as well. I feel he’s just coming back to where he was this time last year. I thought he ran well in the Sussex Stakes.”
