Dubai: Golden Horn, who looked impressive when winning the Epsom Derby (G1) and Eclipse (G1) this season, bids for a fifth straight success when he runs in the prestigious £800,000 (Dh4.6 million) Juddmonte International Stakes (G1), which kicks-off the top class Ebor Festival at York on Wednesday.

Trained by John Gosden, Golden Horn faces seven rivals in the 2,000 metre contest which is ranked as the best race in the world by the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities. York’s flagship contest eclipsed top Group 1 races like the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, Breeders’ Cup Classic and Japan Cup to earn the title of horse racing’s best thoroughbred race.

Golden Horn also attempts to become the fourth colt to complete the Derby-Juddmonte double after Australia (2014), Sea the Stars (2009) and Authorized (2007).

His main rival appears to be the outstanding Gleneagles, the 2000 Guineas and St James’s Palace Stakes winner, who barring his disqualification in the Grand Criterium at Longchamp in October, is attempting a ninth straight victory.

Other notables include the progressive Time Test, who makes a huge step up in class and the well-campaigned The Grey Gatsby. “We’re looking forward to it. The horse is in great form,” said the last named’s handler. “It deserves to have the best horses there and it’s going to be a very exciting race.

“He (Golden Horn) is going to be a hard horse to beat. He’s a great racehorse and he’s proven he’s top class. If we can’t beat him, let’s hope we give him a race.

“He (The Grey Gatsby) has got a great turn of foot, so hopefully it will be a true-run race.”

The opening day’s racing at the Knavesmire also features the Group 2 Great Voltigeur Stakes, where Storm The Stars, third at Epsom and runner-up in the Irish Derby at the Curragh, looks the one to beat.

Trained by William Haggas for Shaikh Juma Dalmkook Al Maktoum, Storm The Stars opposes six rivals headed by Al Asayl Stable’s star Balios.

A winner at Royal Ascot winner Balios is prepared by David Simcock.

Another interesting pattern races is the Group 3 Acomb Stakes for two-year-olds where two Dubai-owned juveniles, Adventurous and Cymric, look to have leading claims.

Adventurous, who won his maiden at Newbury and was a promising fourth behind Sahlaa in the Richmond Stakes (G3) at Glorious Goodwood, races in the colours of Shaikh Hamdan Bin Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, while Cymric bids to give Team Godolphin a first success in the contest which is a respected early pointer to the next season’s Classics.

“Cymric has done well since his last race,” said Gosden. “Obviously, this is a big step in class, but we are hopeful of a good performance.”

James Doyle takes the ride for the first time on the Kitten’s Joy colt, who also faces Group 3 Tyros Stakes third Lieutenant General.