Highland Reel to lead O’Brien’s bid for Juddmonte International

Highland Reel is set to be Aidan O’Brien’s chief contender for the Juddmonte International after the Ballydoyle handler confirmed US Army Ranger is “unlikely” to line up in the feature event at York on Wednesday.

US Army Ranger has not been seen in competitive action since finishing runner-up to the Dermot Weld-trained Harzand in the Investec Derby at Epsom in early June and while he was left in the International at the five-day stage, he is set to make his comeback closer to home four days later.

Highland Reel, who got off the mark for the campaign with victory in the King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Stakes last month, could be joined by stable companion Sir Isaac Newton, who finished fourth in the same Ascot showpiece.

Ebor Festival

O’Brien said: “It is unlikely that US Army Ranger will run in the International at York. He could go for the Royal Whip at the Curragh [on August 21st].

“It looks at this stage as if Highland Reel and Sir Isaac Newton will be our two.”

Idaho finished third in the Derby at Epsom before being narrowly denied by Harzand once more in the Irish equivalent.

He is also set to return on the opening day of York’s Ebor Festival.

“Idaho and maybe one or two others will run in the Great Voltigeur,” O’Brien confirmed.

“Idaho had a little break after the Irish Derby and will come forward for the run.”

Meanwhile, Last year’s winner of the Juddmonte International Arabian Queen is enjoying a second enforced break of the summer as connections consider the Group One-winning filly’s future.

Her owner Jeff Smith has admitted they have been unable to get to the bottom of the problem despite thorough checks.

Only when Arabian Queen returns to training will trainer David Elsworth and owner/breeder Smith be able to make a decision as to whether the four-year-old races on or is retired to the paddocks.

Arabian Queen will not bid to repeat her shock victory of 12 months ago on Wednesday, but if she does run again, races such as the Qipco Irish Champion Stakes at Leopardstown on September 10th and the Kingdom Of Bahrain Sun Chariot Stakes at Newmarket on October 1st would be considered.

“She’s got intermittent lameness but we’ve not figured out what it is that is stopping her running,” said Smith.

“She picked it up in the Coronation Cup at Epsom and has not been right since.

“It’s such a shame as she ran so well at Newmarket, something just went wrong at Epsom.

“Having said that, it is not a serious injury, but it has stopped her from running and interrupted her training as she can’t gallop.

“If she does not run any more this season that will be it.”