Juddmonte International Stakes

Dylan Thomas is by far the one to beat in the Juddmonte International Stakes at York on Tuesday and, quite rightly, is a warm order for the ten-furlong contest. However, at a top-priced 11/10 he makes no appeal at all from a value perspective and instead Blue Monday, a 9/1 chance with totesport, looks the way to go. Roger Charlton's charge has developed into a genuine Group-race performer this season and ran a cracking race in defeat when staying on well to be under 2l 3rd David Junior in the Coral-Eclipse Stakes at Sandown last time. Considering that all of his best form has come when there's plenty of juice in the ground, and that it was good to firm on Eclipse day, that was a highly meritorious effort from the Darshaan gelding. The ground on the Knavesmire is currently riding good, with showers forecast early on Tuesday morning, so it's likely that it'll be pretty loose, and this will be right up the street of last year's Cambridgeshire hero. In all fairness, he does have a stiff-looking task at the weights given that Dylan Thomas will be in receipt of a healthy 8lb weight-for-age allowance. But this is the first time that Dylan Thomas will be tackling the older brigade, and at 11/1o I couldn't be backing him. The son of Danehill made significant improvement from winning the Derrinstown Stud Derby Trial to go and finish a close-up third to Sir Percy in the blue riband event itself, but it was his performance in the Irish Derby which really got the juices going. In that Budweiser-sponsored contest, Dylan Thomas shot clear to easily beat Gentlewave by three-and-a-half lengths, looking value for double that winning margin. However, the fact that the fourth home Dragon Dancer failed to settleduring the race and probably didn't fire on all cylinders, and that the fifth, Darsi, simply ran flat, suggests that it might not be too wise to overly excited by the form of that race. Indeed, Dylan Thomas could have been flattered. The horse that split David Junior and Blue Monday in the Eclipse, Notnowcato, has improved no end this season and he too won't mind a bit of cut in the ground. However, all his best form has come on stiffer tracks and I just wonder whether he'll have the requisite speed for this. Stablemate Maraahel, who wasn't beaten far when third to Electrocutionist in this race last year, ran as well as could have been expected when fifth of six to Hurricane Run in the King George VI Queen Elizabeth Diamond Stakes. He is consistent but is often found wanting at the top level, which is likely to be the case again. Cherry Mix is better over farther and, in any case, probably isn't good enough, a remark which also applies to French raider Laverock, and most certainly applies to Enforcer and Snoqualmie Boy. Verdict - 1pt Blue Monday @ 9/1 (totesport)