Noverre leads Godolphin's charge

Godolphin will be looking to revive their fortunes at York's three-day Ebor Meeting which opens today with the Group One Juddmonte International Stakes, one of the highlights of the popular Autumn racing calendar.

The Dubai-owned stable secured just the one winner last year, courtesy Sakhee in the Juddmonte, but trainer Saeed bin Suroor was yesterday talking up his stable's chances in the meet's featured races - the Group One Juddmonte International Stakes, Group One Yorkshire Oaks and Group One Nunthorpe Stakes.

Suroor is hoping that Noverre, a dual Group One winner last season over a mile, can get them off to a winning start when he takes on King George first and second Golan and Nayef in today's much-anticipated Juddmonte.

Noverre finished second in Group One races over a mile on each of his last three starts and Suroor was convinced that the extra two furlongs of today's race will be in his favour.

"Noverre is essentially a miler, but he has developed in terms of stamina and we think that he will stay a mile and a quarter," Suroor told Gulf News.

"This will be his first outing over the distance but we think he now has the quality to handle such a test."

Seven horses line-up in the £261,000 contest including Queen Anne winner No Excuse Needed, Chancellor, Indian Creek and Starbourne make up the field for the contest.

Sir Michael Stoute's No Excuse Needed will be also tackling the trip for the first time since finishing last behind Nayef in the Champion Stakes last autumn.

No Excuse Needed is owned by His Highness Sheikh Maktoum bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, while Nayef is bred and owned by Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai and Minister of Finance and Industry.

Nayef's trainer, Marcus Tregoning, told at the races: "It's quite possible that 10 furlongs is his best distance and that only his class gets him through a mile and a half.

"Since Ascot I've got to say he has been great and he goes to York at least as well as he was at Ascot. Everything should be spot on for him at York; the ground, the trip and the track. I am looking forward to the Juddmonte and I hope we can win this time," he added.

Sheikh Hamdan's colours could figure prominently in today's other featured race – the Group Two Great Voltigeur Stakes – with the Mark Johnston-trained Bandari a real stand-out in the mile and half contest.

Johnston is confident that the Alhaarth colt is the one to beat should he reproduce the form that saw him land the Gordon Stakes at Goodwood on his most recent start.

"If Bandari runs up to his best form then there shouldn't be anything there that can beat him," Johnston said.

"So it's just a question of does he run up to his best or not? The worry is that he's capable of running a bad one (he flopped in the Derby) but it's down to just hoping he reproduces what we all know he can do."

Godolphin's dual Classic winner Kazzia tops the Group One Yorkshire Oaks field, the showcase of tomorrow's York card.

The Godolphin heroine will be seeking to maintain her unbeaten record after victories this season in the 1,000 Guineas and Vodafone Oaks.

Victory at York will put her on track to the Rothmans Royals St Leger next month as she attempts to become the first to complete the fillies' Triple Crown since Oh So Sharp in 1985.

Leading the opposition will be Sir Michael Stoute's Islington, who was eighth to Kazzia at Epsom in June, but has since shown impressive form when winning the Vodafone Nassau Stakes at Glorious Goodwood.

Sprinters take centre stage in Thursday's main event, the Group One Victory Chandler Nunthorpe Stakes over five furlongs.

Godolphin run Three Points a reputed speedster who is yet to live up to expectations. The Bering horse has not made an impression in two starts this season and will have to showed vast improvement when he takes on three-race winner Kyllachy and Marcus Tregoning's Dominica.