Punters brand four-runner Juddmonte ‘a disgrace’ as Ryan Moore and Frankie Dettori prepare to lock horns again

PUNTERS are less than impressed after just four horses were declared for the £1million Juddmonte International at York.

One of the features of the Ebor meeting, the Juddmonte will see the return of star horse Paddington.

Despite the race shaping up to be a great spectacle in the build up, just three rivals will face the Aidan O'Brien-trained hotpot on Wednesday.

Desert Crown is a notable omission, with last year's Derby winner having to undergo surgery following a fetlock injury.

He suffered the injury on the gallops on Sunday and is being treated at the Newmarket Equine Hospital.

With Bay Bridge and Alflaila also not being declared, it looks a two-horse race on paper between Paddington and Mostahdaf.

Paddington is searching for a fifth Group 1 victory in a remarkable three-year-old campaign where he's won the Irish 2,000 Guineas, St James's Palace, Coral-Eclipse and Sussex Stakes.

His biggest challenge yet may await, however, as he takes on runaway Prince Of Wales's winner Mostahdaf.

He will be without his regular rider Jim Crowley, who is serving a 20-day suspension, but Frankie Dettori is a rather adequate replacement.

On paper, it's set to be a brilliant tussle, but punters are less than amused about another small-field Group 1.

One said: "A quality field but disappointing amount of runners for the prize money.

"Trainers and owners moan about prize money but don't support these races."

Another said: "Four runners in a Group 1 race which has £1 million worth of prize money is an embarrassment and an insult to York.

"Even when Frankel won at 1/10 11 years ago there were nine runners, with 8 of them having no chance of winning!"

While one more added: "Absolute disgrace only four turning up."

There was further misery on the opening day as only six runners were declared for the Acomb and five for the Great Voltigeur.

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