War upstages his better fancied rivals

Declaration Of War gained revenge on Al Kazeem and Toronado in the Juddmonte International Stakes at York.

Beaten two lengths behind Al Kazeem in the Eclipse and three behind Toronado in the Sussex, Aidan O'Brien's tough campaigner gained revenge on his rivals with a hard fought victory in a gruelling renewal of the Group One.

Irish Derby winner Trading Leather set out to ensure that the 10 furlong contest was a proper test of stamina and he had several of his rivals off the bit with over two furlongs to run.

Al Kazeem appeared to be travelling strongly at that stage but he didn't appear to let himself down on the fast ground when James Doyle asked him to go and win his race and the jockey was soon sending out distress signals.

In contrast, Declaration Of War and Trading Leather kept responding to every urging and it was the former who ran on best of all to prevail by a length and a quarter from his compatriot.

It was a second Group One victory for the son of War Front following his success in the Queen Anne Stakes at Royal Ascot.

Al Kazeem finished third but Toronado was never a factor and was allowed to come home in his own time by Richard Hughes.

The winning jockey, Joseph O'Brien, said: "I'm not sure if it was as much of a surprise to us as it was to a lot of people. In the Eclipse it was probably my fault. James (Doyle on Al Kazeem) got first run on me. I was only getting involved in the last 100 yards and it was all over.

"This lad is tough and hardy. He's been running consistently well and a mile and a quarter on hard ground suits him lovely. He travelled very well, relaxed great and toughed it out to the line.

"We always thought you could drop him back in trip to six or seven furlongs. He was left in the Nunthorpe until the very end. Obviously five (furlongs) would have been a bit sharp for him, but he is hardy and handles fast ground very well."

Aidan O'Brien said of the winner: "He has such an unbelievable constitution, this horse, we've never had one like him. He's had all these races but he never goes backwards. He's in full work all the time at home.

"I know I said after Ascot that he'd go back in trip rather than forward, but I suppose there aren't the races for him. He's not lost a kilo all year and he has such a physique - he has to be busy as he does himself so well.

"There's a lot (of horses) going there but he could go to Leopardstown (Irish Champion Stakes) now.

"He could go to the Breeders' Cup later on (for the Classic). Giant's Causeway handled the dirt, the key is to jump and travel. The lads (Coolmore) will decide, I'm sure.

"To go there you need a horse that travels strong and gets a mile and a quarter."

Richard Hannon jnr, the trainer's son and assistant, said of the disappointing Toronado: "He just didn't run his race. It wouldn't have made a difference if it was over six furlongs, seven or a mile. It's very disappointing.

"We'll go through him at home and at least there are two months until the big mile races, it's just a shame we didn't see what he could do at this trip."

Bolger said of the runner-up: "It was an excellent run and he'll now go to Leopardstown for the Irish Champion Stakes. He'll appreciate the uphill finish."

Trainer Roger Charlton felt the ground contributed to Al Kazeem's eclipse.

He said: "James (Doyle) never felt happy at any stage. He wanted to press Trading Leather more, and he couldn't do it. He's had three runs on firm ground and he was looking after himself, I think.

"You hope you can get away with it, but if you keep running a horse on firm ground when he prefers it softer, that's what happens. Whether he goes for the Irish Champion Stakes or whatever, we'll just see how he comes back."

The result caused quite a shake-up in the betting for the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe with Sky Bet pushing Al Kazeem out to 10/1 from 6s and cutting King George winner Novellist into sole favouritism at 4/1 while Trading Leather halved in price to 16/1 from 33s with Great Voltigeur winner Telescope a 25/s chance.