Charlton believes Time can pass Test Many consider the Juddmonte International Stakes to be a two-horse race, but Roger Charlton is convinced Time Test can ruffle a few feathers at York tomorrow. In what is shaping up to be the race of the Flat season, much of the focus has been on the so-called clash of the titans between Golden Horn and Gleneagles. As such, Time Test's claims have rather gone unnoticed - even in spite of his runaway victory in the Tercentenary Stakes at Royal Ascot. There is, though, a growing confidence at Beckhampton House that the Dubawi colt has what it takes to capably hold his own in the silks of Khalid Abdullah, whose Juddmonte operation sponsors the race. Charlton said: "Time Test is very well. I believe that he has the potential to be a very smart colt and his Tercentenary Stakes win was not only visually very impressive, it was backed up by a very good time. "He needs to step up from Group Three company and we are under no illusions that the Juddmonte International probably represents the best race of the season but I am going into it in an optimistic frame of mind. "He is a straightforward horse and he has only been absent since Ascot because of a lack of suitable races. "We are taking on the best and Time Test is just a Group Three winner who is very much unproven but we want to give it a go." With the ground on the Knavesmire currently good to firm, good in places, trainer Aidan O'Brien is happy to return to Britain with the dual Guineas-winning Gleneagles. O'Brien, who has won the Juddmonte International for the last two years, also saddles Cougar Mountain, who claimed a Group Three at the Curragh last Thursday. Joseph O'Brien must slim down within the next few days after he was confirmed to ride Gleneagles at 8st 12lb, with Seamie Heffernan partnering stablemate Cougar Mountain. Standing in Gleneagles' way is the unbeaten Golden Horn, a late absentee from the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot last month due to unsuitable ground. There appears no such concerns at York, however, as John Gosden's inmate attempts to add to his considerable gains in the Epsom Derby and the Coral-Eclipse at Sandown. Dick Doughtywylie was supplemented last week as a pacemaker for the Anthony Oppenheimer-owned three-year-old and has also been declared. The Grey Gatsby finished second to the O'Brien-trained Australia in the race 12 months ago and will try again for North Yorkshire trainer Kevin Ryan. Ryan's inmate turned in a smashing effort in the Coral-Eclipse, but he was still three and a half lengths away from Golden Horn at the line. Australian colt Criterion adds further spice for trainer David Hayes, while David Elsworth's Arabian Queen completes the eight-strong field. There is the risk of showers at York from the early hours of Tuesday into mid-morning, but the forecast is for dry weather from there on in.
