Gleneagles primed for York mission Aidan O'Brien will be hoping that the light rain that fell in York on Tuesday does not amount to much ahead of Gleneagles' tilt at the Juddmonte International. The dual 2000 Guineas hero and St James's Palace Stakes winner has been forced to step up in trip to an extended mile and a quarter to take on Golden Horn after the ground at both Goodwood and Deauville was deemed unsuitable. "He's in good form and we're very happy with him, obviously he's missed a few engagements. We trained him for Goodwood, but the ground just wasn't right for him. Then we thought we might go to France," said O'Brien. "We're delighted with him and looking forward to it and delighted the lads agreed to let him take his chance. "He's a horse that shows a lot of speed at home and we always thought a mile was his trip, but I suppose he needs to get out. It's a run for him and we'll learn a lot about him. "On good fast ground, a mile and a quarter there would be a good race for him." The unknown quantity in the York race is Time Test, who steps up markedly in class from his win in the Group Three Tercentenary Stakes. "I have huge respect for Golden Horn, Gleneagles and The Grey Gatsby. They are all very high-class Classic winners who have won eight Group One races between them," said trainer Roger Charlton. "It is very good news that there is a guaranteed strong pace as it would have been tough for Golden Horn to make the running again and we need to try to stretch Gleneagles' stamina. Whatever wins will clearly be the best three-year-old in Europe." With Ryan Moore injured and Frankie Dettori, who is the only other jockey to have ridden him this season, on Golden Horn, Pat Smullen has received the call-up. "He's a very exciting horse for the future. It's a big step up for him in what looks like being the race of the year, but connections are very sweet on him and I was taken by the way he quickened at Ascot and I'm really looking forward to the ride," said Smullen. "He looked a Group One horse all over on the day. It rode like a good race (the Tercentenary Stakes), but he was electric. "He's going to take on the two biggest guns that are around at the moment and don't forget The Grey Gatsby, but I'm really excited about the ride on this horse and hopefully he can make the step up." The Grey Gatsby comes in slightly under the radar after Golden Horn beat him comfortably in the Eclipse, but trainer Kevin Ryan is keen to have another crack. Ryan said: "We're looking forward to it. The horse is in great form. It deserves to have the best horses there and it's going to be a very exciting race. "He (Golden Horn) is going to be a hard horse to beat. He's a great racehorse and he's proven he's top-class. If we can't beat him, let's hope we give him a race. "He (The Grey Gatsby) has got a great turn of foot, so hopefully it will be a true-run race."
