Crystal Ocean to be unleashed at York in Juddmonte International

York's Ebor meeting will start with a bang, as the course's richest race, the Juddmonte International, will be graced by the world's highest-rated horse, Crystal Ocean.

The Sir Michael Stoute-trained five-year-old is atop the Longines World's Best Racehorse rankings with a mark of 127, despite being narrowly edged out by Enable in last month's epic King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot.

Enable, who has a mark of 126, is set to run a day later in the Darley Yorkshire Oaks, meaning there will be no shortage of star quality on show at the Knavesmire next week.

Crystal Ocean is a best-priced 6-4 to deliver a seventh win in the £1 million Group 1 International for Stoute, who last won the race in 2017 with Ulysses.

Crystal Ocean, the world's highest-rated racehorse, had an epic battle with Enable in the King GeorgeCredit: Edward Whitaker

Speaking on Wednesday morning, Stoute said: "The plan is to take Crystal Ocean to the Juddmonte International at York. He seems to have come out of the King George in good shape and worked nicely this morning. There will be no decision over who will ride him until nearer the time."

James Doyle was aboard Crystal Ocean for the King George, and could be in line to keep the ride, with Frankie Dettori the likely partner for King Of Comedy, while Ryan Moore will have his pick of Aidan O'Brien's runners.

An alternative to Doyle could be William Buick, who has ridden Crystal Ocean twice before, finishing runner-up in the 2018 King George and Champion Stakes at Ascot.

Buick has recently returned to the saddle after two months on the sidelines recovering from post head-injury syndrome.

Lord Glitters stepping up for O'Meara

There may not have been a Northern-trained winner of the International in its 47-year history, but in addition to Elarqam, who is in line to be supplemented for Mark Johnston, Queen Anne winner Lord Glitters will be flying the flag for Yorkshire.

The David O'Meara-trained six-year-old followed up his Royal Ascot victory when fifth in the Sussex Stakes, a race that did not play to the horse's strengths.

O'Meara said on Wednesday: "He'll go to York. He's been in good form since Goodwood. The race wasn't run to suit as they went a steady gallop."

Lord Glitters wins the Queen Anne Stakes under Danny TudhopeCredit: Edward Whitaker

The 1m2½f trip of the International will ask a different question of Lord Glitters, although he did win over a mile and a quarter as a three-year-old.

"We're not certain he'll get the trip, but we're fairly hopeful," O'Meara added. "He was third at Meydan [in the Dubai Turf] over a mile and a furlong earlier this year and won the Strensall at York over the same trip last year."

A general 16-1 chance, Lord Glitters will likely need a career-best to triumph, and O'Meara said: "It's a hot race and he has a bit to find with Crystal Ocean and Circus Maximus. Hopefully he'll run well and if he was good enough to win that would be fantastic."

York chief executive William Derby is excited to have Crystal Ocean and Enable in action at the Ebor meeting, and said: "We’re hugely honoured and thrilled that connections of such wonderful horses have opted to run them at York.

"They’re the top-rated colt and filly in the world and racegoers at York will marvel in them as they’re incredibly appreciative of the quality of horses who come to York. We're so excited about the prospect of some great racing next week."

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