When he lines up for the Juddmonte International at York on Wednesday, August 20^th, it will have been 53 days since the champion three-year-old Australia (by Galileo) was last seen in public. This will be the dual Derby winner's first foray in open company against older runners, although only two of that variety have chosen to enter the fray.

Trainer Aidan O'Brien intentionally wound down his charge slightly after his Irish Derby success at the end of June so that Australia would have something in reserve when he tackles his season-end target – the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe in October. O'Brien has since expressed some concern about whether the chestnut will be at peak fitness this week: "He has done very well and is just ready to start back again. I suppose, because he has done so well, we are a little bit worried about his fitness. But really, when you give a horse a break – especially a three-year-old – going into the autumn, you want him to do well. He did well, he did very well."

A further fly in the ointment is the fact that regular rider Joseph O'Brien – the trainer's son – will have to starve for a few days in order to be able to make the assigned weight of 124 pounds. Despite this, the public has not lost faith in the exciting colt and has installed him as an odds-on favourite at 4 to 7. If he is to live up to the hype, the colt needs to oblige although – as the Qipco 2000 Guineas showed – he is by no means invincible.

Judging by the flow of money, his principal rival (at 9 to 2) will be the Sir Michael Stoute-trained four-year-old Telescope (by Galileo), who will have the services of the in-form Ryan Moore in the saddle. Highclere Thoroughbred Racing's lightly-raced four-year-old has not been out of 1-2 in all 9 of his career starts so support for him is fully justified. Last time out, he was second to the brilliant Taghrooda (by Sea The Stars) in the King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot.

Third on that occasion was the admirable Mukhadram (by Shamardal), from the yard of William Haggas, who was just run out of second by the hard-ridden Telescope. The trip that day – 12 furlongs – may have been just a shade too far for Sheikh Hamdan's five-year-old, and over the more suitable 10 furlongs and 88 yards he might well turn the tables on Telescope. It was at around this distance that Paul Hanagan's mount had annexed the Coral Eclipse Stakes at Sandown early last month, and he is an 11 to 2 chance here.

The compact field of six includes a pair of interesting members of the 2011 crop. Better fancied of the pair (at 12 to 1) is the hero of the Prix du Jockey Club-French Derby in June, The Grey Gatsby (by Mastercraftsman). As his trainer, Kevin Ryan, has pointed out, his ward is very much at home on the track: "He won his maiden at York, he was second in the Acomb at York and he won the Dante at York so the Knavesmire will be no problem for him." However, due to long-standing arrangements that will rule out the only two riders the grey has known this year – Jamie Spencer and Ryan Moore – he will have to get used to a new pilot here and Richard Hughes is the man selected for the job. 

As has already been mentioned, Moore has been claimed for Telescope, while Spencer is set to guide Peter Chapple-Hyam's three-year-old, Arod (by Teofilo), who followed his on-the-board effort behind Australia in June in the Investec Derby with a bloodless triumph in a conditions event the following month. Arod is going to have to make up some nine lengths against Australia and is 16 to 1 for the win.

Presumably to ensure that the pace is honest, Australia will be accompanied to the post by his stablemate Kingfisher (by Galileo). That completes the small but select field. One may reasonably expect that Kingfisher will lead in the early stages, with Mukhadram in close attendance and Australia and Telescope bringing up the rear. What will happen in the long straight, once the pacemaker fades (of course, assuming he does!) and Mukhadram takes up the running (another presumption!), is the intriguing part of this puzzle. Will the oldest runner hang on grimly? Or will he be scythed down by the champion three-year-old? It is to determine the answer to such queries that the race will be run, and it's a prospect to be savoured…

Incidentally, a clue might possibly be forthcoming just over half an hour before Australia reappears. The horse he beat at Epsom – Kingston Hill (by Mastercraftsman) – is an acceptor in the Neptune Investment Management Great Voltigeur Stakes  (12 fur.) on the same track. A good run by the 6 to 4 favourite in the 10-runner field will underline the Investec Derby form – form that is increasingly looking in need of franking, as most of the members of the beaten brigade in this year's renewal of the famous  Epsom classic have hitherto failed to distinguish themselves as being out of the ordinary.