Rip in search of International success Rip Van Winkle is one of nine runners set to contest the Group 1 Juddmonte International at York today, where Aidan O'Brien's colt is likely to face strong opposition from Byword, Twice Over and Dick Turpin. After opening his season with a disappointing sixth in the Queen Anne Stakes at Royal Ascot, O'Brien said his stable star would improve as the season progressed, and the four-year-old appeared to have made considerable progress in the Sussex. O'Brien yesterday stated “Rip is in good form and he came on from his first run at Ascot to his second at Goodwood and improved nicely, so we’re all looking forward to the race." “The horse has shown a lot of speed and showed that again at Goodwood, but we thought he would go on and progress [to 1m2f] - but he wouldn’t mind dropping back to a mile if ever necessary. He’s very versatile really.”
