Brilliant Baaeed heads eight in the Juddmonte International at the Ebor festival

Baaeed will face a maximum of seven rivals when he steps into new territory in Wednesday's Juddmonte International Stakes at York.

The highest-rated horse in the world remains on track to run over a new trip of 1m2½f in an attempt to extend his perfect record to ten races.

The Shadwell-owned four-year-old is following in the footsteps of Frankel, having won the Lockinge, the Queen Anne and the Sussex Stakes this season before tackling the International, the highlight of York's four-day Ebor meeting.

Shadwell assistant racing manager Richard Hills played a pivotal role in Baaeed’s final preparations for York when leading the 2-5 chance in his final workout on the Al Bahathri Polytrack in Newmarket on Thursday morning.

The Classic-winning jockey got a close-up of the unbeaten son of Sea The Stars as he swept past under his twin brother Michael and said: "It was nice to lead Baaeed and Mikey in their work this morning and it was very nice of William [Haggas] to let me ride out.

"I got a real close-up as he went winging by me after the five-furlong pole in what was maintenance work to be honest. We went seven furlongs."

Mishriff: heads the potential opposition to Baaeed in the Juddmonte InternationalCredit: Mark Cranham (racingpost.com/photos)

Last year's winner Mishriff and Irish 2,000 Guineas hero Native Trail were among the potential opposition left in at the six-day stage.

Aidan O'Brien has kept High Definition and Point Lonsdale in the frame and last month's York Stakes winner Sir Busker also features, while Haggas could pitch Alenquer and Dubai Honour into competition against his stable star.

Haggas said: “Dubai Honour wants slow ground. If it’s good or good to soft he’ll run and so will Alenquer. That’s against Baaeed.”

On the possible opposition on the Knavesmire, Hills added: "We are respectful of everybody at York. We’re stepping up in distance but he’s in good form and this is the next stage of his career.

"Another thing in his favour is that he has a super temperament. Walking back along the Bury Road with all those lorries and traffic going by, he just didn’t turn a hair. That’s what makes great horses, they have the ability and the mind to go with it."

Baaeed is 2-5 with Coral and the firm's spokesperson David Stevens said: "Baaeed will be sent off a red-hot favourite for the Juddmonte International, although if Mishriff lines up he will be nowhere near as short as the 1-10 Frankel was for this same race."

Juddmonte International confirmations

Alenquer
Baaeed
Dubai Honour
High Definition
Mishriff
Sir Busker
Native Trail
Point Lonsdale

Juddmonte International Stakes (August 17, 3.35)

Coral: 2-5 Baaeed, 7-2 Mishriff, 6 Native Trail, 20 Alenquer, 25 Dubai Honour, High Definition, Sir Busker, 33 Point Lonsdale

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