DARLING BUDS!

Juddmonte joy for Buick after scare by his 150-1 pacemaker

- MELISSA JONES

OMBUDSMAN left racegoers in dispute over pacemakers in showpiece races as he survived a scare in the Juddmonte International.

The John and Thady Gosden star lined up at York with the assistance of Godolphin ownermate Birr Castle on the front end.

Just like Qirat did in the Sussex Stakes last month, the rank outsider threatened to steal the limelight from the 7-4 favourite while being ridden on his own merits.

In front by as many as 20 lengths as he rounded the final turn, Birr Castle hit 2-1 in-running as the bookmakers sensed another major upset.

It took until the final furlong for Ombudsman to get on terms, but favourite backers had no complaints when he went clear for a three-and-a-half length supremacy.