FRENCH derby winner Almanzor is lined-up for a showdown with 1000 Guineas and Epsom Oaks winner Minding in the richest ever race to be staged at York.

Both horses have been entered in the £900,000 Juddmonte International Stakes which is held on the opening day of August's Welcome to Yorkshire Ebor Festival.

Harzand, recent winner of the Epsom Derby, is a notable absentee from the first stage entries, announced yesterday, but The Grey Gatsby, trained by Kevin Ryan at Hambleton, is planning a third assault on the crown after finishing second and third in the last two seasons.

There is a possibility that the Darley Yorkshire Oaks, on the second day of the festival, could yet involve the first three horses in the Oaks namely Minding, Architecture, and Harlequeen.

The Coolmore Stud, who own the Irish raider Minding, and trainer Aiden O'Brien will decide which task is best for their horse in the coming weeks.

Inevitably, there is also a string of eye-catching entries in the Coolmore Nunthorpe Stakes, the £350,000 highlight of the third day at the Ebor.

North Yorkshire trainer Karl Burke enters Quiet Reflection who was ridden to glory in the Commonwealth Cup at Royal Ascot last week by Ryedale jockey Dougie Costello.

American trainer Wesley Ward has entered both Acapulco, who finished second to Mecca's Angel in last year's race, and Lady Aurelia who won last week's Queen Mary at Ascot.

There are Group One races on each of the three weekdays of the four day festival which starts on Wednesday August 17.

James Brennan, York racecourse's head of marketing, said: "It is always fascinating to see the first stage entries and an exciting day. Obviously, we welcome all horses and connections - but we always have a hope that a Yorkshire ride will keep the record prize money within the county."