Cheval Grand to bid for more Group 1 glory for Japan in Juddmonte International

After waiting 19 years for a second British Group 1 triumph, Japan's third could come just 20 days later.

When Deirdre took last week's Qatar Nassau Stakes at Goodwood, she was scoring her country's first top-level triumph in Britain since Agnes World in the 2000 July Cup. Now compatriot Cheval Grand is primed for a crack at the Juddmonte International Stakes at York in two weeks, with Oisin Murphy set to ride.

The 2017 Japan Cup winner, who is housed alongside Deirdre at Abington Place Stables in Newmarket, is expected to improve on his sixth-place effort in the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Qipco Stakes at Ascot last month when he lines up on the opening day of the Ebor festival.

"The ground was too soft for him in the King George," said Yusuke Oe, assistant to trainer Yasuo Tomomichi. "It was very unfortunate that it kept raining from the night before until the afternoon of the race and it was too slippy for him. He is a horse who prefers firm ground.

Cheval Grand (second) behind Old Persian in the Dubai Sheema Classic earlier this seasonCredit: Francois Nel (Getty Images)

"Cheval Grand is in very good form. He’s training towards York and we’re trying to get him better than last time. He will have another few gallops before York. He was fit in the King George, but he was beaten by two very brilliant horses in Enable and Crystal Ocean."

With Enable switched to the Yorkshire Oaks, Crystal Ocean is a top-priced 6-4 favourite for the Juddmonte International in which Cheval Grand, who finished second in the Dubai Sheema Classic at Meydan before arriving in Britain, is a best-priced 33-1.

Oe is looking forward to the £1 million contest and said: "Last month I visited York to see the racecourse and meet with the clerk of the course William Derby. It felt like a racecourse with a good atmosphere."

Murphy, who partnered Deidre to her landmark success at Goodwood last week, said on his website: "I am delighted to announce I have been confirmed to ride Japanese Group 1 winner Cheval Grand in the Juddmonte International at York.

"Hopefully he will get his favoured fast ground and if he does I expect him to run a nice race."

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