The G1 Juddmonte International kicks off day one of York's Ebor Festival next Wednesday and Aidan O'Brien has given the green light for Highland Reel (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) and his paternal half-brother Sir Isaac Newton (GB) to take their chances in the £900,000 contest and potentially add another British signature Group 1 to the trainer's 2016 haul. Highland Reel is already earning his keep having added July's G1 King George VI & Queen Elizabeth S. to his CV that previously had featured top level victories in Hong Kong and America. “It looks at this stage as if Highland Reel and Sir Isaac Newton will be our two,” said O'Brien before giving an update on another Juddmonte entrant who will not take up that option. “It is unlikely that US Army Ranger will run at York. He could go for the [G3] Royal Whip S.at the Curragh [Aug. 21],” the trainer added.
US Army Ranger (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) hasn't been in competitive action since finishing second to Harzand (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) in the G1 Investec Derby with stablemate Idaho (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) one place behind in third. Idaho, a full-brother to Highland Reel, subsequently ran Harzand closer in the G1 Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby and he will bid to add to his solitary juvenile maiden win when lining up for the G2 Betway Great Voltigeur S. at York also on Wednesday. “Idaho and maybe one or two others will run in the Great Voltigeur,” O'Brien confirmed. “He had a little break after the Irish Derby and will come forward for the run.”
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