Judicial set for Curragh trip

Judicial will get the chance to atone for a poor performance in York with connections eyeing a trip to the Curragh.

The six-year-old picked up back-to-back victories earlier this year at Beverley and Sandown but he was well off the pace last time out in York.

He finished almost eight lengths behind winner Alpha Delphini in the Group One Nunthorpe Stakes but connections were quick to offer up excuses.

They claimed that Judicial was under the weather in York and are hoping he can get back to winning ways in Ireland.

Steve Brown, who is the husband of trainer Julie Camacho, believes the Flying Five Stakes at the Curragh a week on Sunday provides the perfect opportunity for Judicial to silence his doubters.

Brown said: “Ireland is in our minds at the moment. He was obviously disappointing at York, but there were one or two little things after the race which would have explained why he ran as he did.

“He seems to have recovered well and he's been given a clean bill of health this week, but we will give him a breeze and see where we are.

“When he came back from York, his bloods were upside down. His pre-race picture was fine, but his post-race picture was pretty ordinary, to say the least.

“He seems fine now, but we'll see how it goes. We need to be sure he's well in himself.

“I'm told a few horses might be staying at home next week, but the ground is obviously a factor with Judicial.”