International Acclaim For Stoute Sir Michael Stoute sent out the first two home as Notnowcato just pipped stablemate Maraahel in the Juddmonte International Stakes at York.The Freemason Lodge pair fought out a thrilling finish, with Notnowcato (8-1) prevailing by a short head under Ryan Moore.Blue Monday kept on to claim third in the Group One contest, but hot favourite Dylan Thomas disappointed in finishing out of the frame.Frankie Dettori took the seven-runner field along at a steady early pace aboard Cherry Mix, while Mick Kinane had trouble settling the hard-pulling Dylan Thomas in third.Turning into the straight, Dettori upped the tempo a notch and while Notnowcato responded to the change of gear, Kinane was already sending out the distress signals on the runaway Irish Derby winner.As Cherry Mix started to struggle, Notnowcato hit the front but Richard Hills was just getting to work aboard the slow-starting Maraahel, who came through to lay down his challenge in the final furlong.Maraahel (9-1) seemed to head his stablemate at one stage but Notnowcato dug deep for Moore to just get back up in the shadow of the post.Blue Monday, who was sent off an 11-2 shot, kept on well for Steve Drowne a further three lengths back.A jubilant Stoute told Channel 4 Racing: 'The horses have been running well but we just haven't been winning as many races as we would have liked.'Watching it wasn't too bad as I knew it was going to be one of them so it was quite enjoyable for a change!'Maraahel ran a tremendous race and I thought he had actually got up.'I would think Notnowcato will probably go for the Champion Stakes at Newmarket next and then hopefully finish with a race overseas if everything goes to plan.'For winning jockey Moore it was first Group One success.'It's a relief,' he said. 'I thought I'd held on as we crossed the line but Richard thought he'd got up.'The ground is a bit sticky and I went to the front a bit early but I thought once I'd got him going there was no point stopping.'(C) PA Sport
