AIDAN O’Brien will have the opportunity to become the most successful trainer in Juddmonte International Stakes history when sending superstar three-year-old Paddington into battle for the Group 1 highlight at York next Wednesday.

The Sky Bet Ebor Festival has often been a happy hunting ground for the master trainer and a win in the Juddmonte International would provide him with a record seventh success in the race, stretching one clear of Sir Michael Stoute on six.

O’Brien has assembled a useful team for the four-day festival. He has already won the Yorkshire Oaks six times, the Great Voltigeur Stakes three times, as well as a double in the Nunthrope and solitary wins in the Lonsdale Cup, Lowther Stakes and Ebor Handicap.

In the lead-up to the meeting, he ran the rule over his York squad with The Irish Field.

Sky Bet Great Voltigeur Stakes (Group 2)

We have a few entered up but I think it’s looking like Continuous will be the main one for us. He ran very well in the King Edward VII Stakes at Royal Ascot [when runner-up behind King Of Steel] and he had a little break since then. We think a more strongly run race than last time would suit him. He’s just on the way back but hopefully he can run a nice race. He had a very good run at York earlier in the season in the Dante.

There’s a possibility that we might also let Alexandroupolis take his chance but we feel he’s going to improve a lot from the run. It will be his first start since the spring [when third to White Birch and Up And Under] in the Ballysax at Leopardstown. We always thought he was a good horse and he just didn’t get a clear run at things after that first start of the season.

Juddmonte International Stakes (Group 1)

Everything has gone well so far with Paddington since the Sussex Stakes and we’re looking forward to running him at York. His constitution is incredible, really. The way we can see him coming out of his races and progressing is amazing. He’s a really good worker at home and is very professional in his races. Ryan [Moore] was impressed with him at Goodwood the last day.

He’s done everything we’ve asked of him. He doesn’t get bothered by anything and is a very independent horse. He’s got plenty of tactical speed and a lot of class. We’re under no illusions that the Juddmonte is a very tough race to win but hopefully we’re going to learn more about him.

Sky Bet Lowther Stakes (Group 2)

We decided to supplement Cherry Blossom for the Lowther after her win at the Curragh last weekend in a maiden. She did it very nicely there and looks like a typical No Nay Never, with plenty of speed. We have a few entries for the race but the plan is for her to run here.

Yorkshire Oaks (Group 1)

This race has been the plan for Savethelastdance. She’s obviously a big filly, very genuine, and seemed to come out of the Irish Oaks well. We don’t think that was an overly hard race on her because the pace didn’t seem to be overly strong and that probably wouldn’t have suited her. Ryan never panicked, though, and he allowed her to get into top gear. I think York will suit her as a big, galloping track.

There’s a chance that Warm Heart could join her at York again. She just got back in the field a little bit in a slowly-run race in the Irish Oaks last time [when fifth] and I don’t think she would have been mad about the testing ground either.

Weatherbys Hamilton Lonsdale Cup Stakes (Group 2)

Again, we have a few different entries but it’s possible that Broome could run here. He ran well at York earlier in the season [when third behind Giavellotto and Eldar Eldarov] in the Yorkshire Cup so hopefully this track seems to suit him.

Emily Dickinson holds an entry but I’d imagine she’ll go straight to the Irish St Leger.

Al Basti Equiworld Dubai

Gimcrack Stakes (Group 2)

I think Johannes Brahms will be our runner in the Gimcrack. He’s a nice two-year-old by Siyouni who won nicely on his debut at Naas earlier in the season before finishing second in the Windsor Castle Stakes at Royal Ascot. Having won over six furlongs on his first start, we hope stepping back up to that trip from five [furlongs] will suit him. He’ll probably be able to get further too.

Coolmore Wootton Bassett

Nunthorpe Stakes (Group 1)

As it stands, we have The Antarctic and Aesop’s Fables getting ready for the Nunthrope. Whether they’ll be ready enough in time to run there, we’ll have to see but we’re training them with that in mind. They both are in good shape, seem to be in decent order and are working nicely at home.