Ombudsman moving nicely in preparation for York Excitement for Ombudsman’s Juddmonte International Stakes clash with Constitution River is bubbling up nicely, with John Gosden relishing his defending champion locking horns with the Eclipse hero. With the help of freewheeling pacemaker Birr Castle, Ombudsman downed Aidan O’Brien’s Delacroix at York 12 months ago and Ballydoyle will once again provide stern opposition for what will be a mouthwatering contest on the Knavesmire. “Ombudsman breezed on Saturday morning and went nicely and we’re very happy with him,” said Gosden, who trains the Godolphin-owned five-year-old alongside son Thady. “He’s building up towards York and it would be nice to get on the grass somewhere, but hopefully we will. “It was a great race when he won it last year and it is what racing needs – everyone is looking forward to York.” After winning at Meydan in March, Ombudsman built on a workmanlike home comeback in the Brigadier Gerard to prove he remains at the peak of his powers when defending his Prince of Wales’s Stakes crown at Royal Ascot. Gosden immediately decided to avoid another run at Sandown in the Coral-Eclipse and after Constitution River took full advantage of the five-year-old’s absence to enhance his own reputation, the two leading names in the middle-distance division will finally meet on the opening day of the Ebor meeting. “He was a little bit like the old boxer at Sandown which probably isn’t his favourite track, meeting the hill, and he’s happier on a track like York,” continued Gosden. “They get wiser in the head how to race (as they get older) rather than being overexuberant like a young horse first time out. To that extent you can say they improve and at five they are fully developed. “He has the experience and it will be exciting. it is what racing needs.” Ombudsman may be the established star of the Gosden operation but the Clarehaven team have gone some way to unearthing their next band of talent at Newmarket, sending out two exciting newcomers to make a winning start on the track. Regally-bred Juddmonte-owned two-year-old Spirited Gesture added her name to a roll of honour including Group One winners Desert Flower and the Gosdens’ Commissioning when impressing in the Lodge At The National Stud EBF Fillies’ Novice Stakes on Saturday. A day earlier, it was Without Prejudice who excelled on the July course, as the half-sister to the stable’s Oaks runner-up and Coronation Cup heroine Emily Upjohn surged to a four-and-a-half-length success over 10 furlongs in the colours of Lord Lloyd-Webber. Keen to continue taking a patient approach with the exciting daughter of Starman, Gosden said: “Without Prejudice is a lovely filly, but has taken her time and we won’t rush her back in a hurry. She’s a three-year-old and we’ve taken our time with her and all being well that will be rewarded. “Her sister was very talented and got better with age, so we won’t overrace this filly at three and she is more about next year. She might have one or two more runs this season but not a bundle. “She’s always looked like she will need time and is by an exciting young stallion Starman. She will do nothing but strengthen and improve.”
