Bizarre Juddmonte International will probably lose its crown as Flat race of the year, so which contest is in line to take its place?

The Juddmonte International was crowned best race in the world last year in the Longines World Racing Awards, but that probably won't be the case this time after the heroics of 109-rated Birr Castle last Wednesday.

The proximity of the 150-1 Godolphin pacemaker to Ombudsman and Delacroix grounds the form considerably, and once again it proved how much decent but unspectacular horses can achieve when ridden in the most efficient way.

So, if the Juddmonte won't be the best race of the year, what will? The Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe seems its natural successor but it doesn't look the strongest running on paper.

Kalpana, who has yet to win this season, is the standout favourite, but I suspect that is partly because her profile mirrors last year's winner Bluestocking and there isn't a standout horse in the race.

Last Thursday's Yorkshire Oaks arguably blurred the Longchamp picture. A considerable pre-race drift didn't stop Minnie Hauk catering for a weak field in the way she probably should have done, but connections think decent ground is paramount for her.

She would need supplementing for the Arc, which hasn't been run without soft or heavy in the going description since 2018 – and it was hardly rattling quick then, either – so surely she will bypass the race. 

Softer ground is no concern for stablemate Whirl, and the Ballydoyle team are set to take in the Prix Vermeille with her prior to the Arc. Her aptitude for a mile and a half on testing going should become clearer there, but I suspect she could be better at ten furlongs or even a mile. 

Kalpana: favourite for the Prix de l'Arc de TriompheCredit: Alan Crowhurst (Getty Images)

Of the remainder at O'Brien's stable, dual Derby winner Lambourn was bitterly disappointing in Wednesday's Great Voltigeur won by Pride Of Arras, who is a gelding and therefore cannot run in the Arc.

Lambourn's stablemate Los Angeles didn't blow anyone away when only fourth in the Royal Whip Stakes recently, and I wonder if the trainer could be tempted to supplement their promising young stayer Scandinavia. Strangely for a champion dirt horse, Justify's progeny appreciate give in the ground.

The dominant Juddmonte winner Ombudsman looks unlikely to step up to a mile and a half, and if he does I suspect the emphasis on speed at Del Mar could make the Breeders' Cup Turf a more appealing option. A showdown with Minnie Hauk and the dual winner Rebel's Romance would be a race to savour. 

At the moment, I wouldn't be surprised if a race Ombudsman won last year turns out to be one of my more anticipated races of the season – a Group 3 at Longchamp after the more recognisable Arc trials have been and gone.

The Prix du Prince D'Orange on September 14 is set to see the Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud and King George winner Calandagan face off with Japan's Derby winner and Arc hopeful Croix Du Nord.

According to the latest set of Longines World Rankings, which assessed horses up until August 10, the pair are just 2lb and 7lb off the planet's best (Field Of Gold, Ombudsman and Forever Young are tied at the top), with improvement still possible.

Goliath, who won last year’s King George, and a whole host of other very high-class horses like Sunday’s Prix Romanet winner Quisisana and Damysus, who took the Prix Nureyev the week before, could also turn up. After Danon Decile bombed out in the Juddmonte it will be utterly fascinating to see if Croix Du Nord’s form can translate.

Of course, it's highly unlikely such a race will outperform some of the autumn Group 1s, and the Irish Champion Stakes must be among the favourites for race of the year, but nevertheless it's sure to be a compelling contest.

Rest in peace Our Champ

I received some very sad news this weekend when Chris Gordon phoned to inform me of the death of Our Champ, who sadly succumbed to lung cancer.

The well-named gelding was part-owned by the family of Racing Post handicapper Jonny Pearson and had etched his way into many of our hearts via his gutsy displays in some of the season's top handicap hurdles.

Our Champ: beloved handicap hurdler trained by Chris GordonCredit: Alan Crowhurst (Getty Images)

One could have been forgiven for thinking his days of winning were over when he began last season off a career-high mark, but Our Champ rose to the occasion to win twice, including when bolting up in the Grade 3 Swinton Hurdle when last seen in May.

He didn't disgrace himself when eighth in the Betfair Hurdle and sixth in the County Hurdle, always racing enthusiastically and giving his best, and I know he gave both Chris and his owners an immense amount of pleasure. He was a wonderful horse, exactly the sort the jumps game so dearly treasures, and he will be sorely missed.

Read more from The Weekender:

'She'd be evens if trained by the Gosdens' - Paul Kealy with three picks for Saturday including a 2pts tip 

Why don't some of the top yards run their best juveniles at York? I think I may have the answer 

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