RACING/York preview: Bago looks the answer to the tricky question posed by the Juddmonte International Stakes on the opening day of York's three-day Ebor meeting today. A star-studded cast has been assembled for the £460,000 feature and it looks to be a tough race to call with outsiders such as Norse Dancer hard to ignore, Sulamani expected to revel in the soft conditions and Azamour thought to improve for the step up in trip.

The latter was last seen winning the St James's Palace Stakes over a mile at Royal Ascot and could find more improvement over the extended 10-furlongs. However, John Oxx is concerned about the ground conditions and will not make a decision on running his colt until today.

But the ace in the pack is the triple Group One winner Bago, who heads into the race unbeaten in six starts. Jonathan Pease's charge has landed the Prix Jean Prat and the Juddmonte Grand Prix de Paris on his two outings this season and, unlike some of his rivals, is proven on easy ground and at this distance.

Pease rates Bago the best horse he has trained, and that is some accolade considering the British-born handler saddled Spinning World to land the Breeders' Cup Mile in 1997. Bago could prove himself to be an international superstar on the Knavesmire and is taken to land a fascinating renewal of the race.

Go For Gold is napped to land the Great Voltigeur Stakes, a major trial for the St Leger. Rule Of Law and Let The Lion Roar have to be respected on the Classic efforts this year but Go For Gold is the most unexposed in the field and relished the step up to this trip of a mile and a half on his latest outing.