Ombudsman lays down the law in G1 Juddmonte International Stakes

Ombudsman gave trainer John Gosden his fourth victory in the last eight Gl Juddmonte International Stakes, the feature race on the opening day of the Ebor meeting, on Wednesday but there was a surprise defeat for Epsom Derby winner Lambourn.

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Gosden, who shares training duties with his son Thady, might have feared a case of deja vu after another stable star Field of Gold was beaten by his pacemaker at Goodwood in the Sussex Stakes.

Rab Havlin set a searing pace on Ombudsman's pacemaker Birr Castle and when he was 25 lengths clear it looked like he might pull off a shock on the 150/1 shot, sent over from France by Andre Fabre.

However, he began to tire and William Buick found an extra gear on Ombudsman to take the honours with second favourite Delacroix, who had beaten him in their previous clash the Eclipse Stakes, finishing runner-up.

Birr Castle took third and a hefty cheque of £141,000 ($190,000), due reward for his efforts -- Buick doing a high five with Havlin for his riding performance.

Japanese runner Danon Decile failed to justify his tag as third favourite, watched on television by an estimated 3 million people back in Japan, finishing second last of the six runners with his connections saying "there were no excuses".