The Andre Fabre-trained Birr Castle will act as a pacemaker for Ombudsman in the Juddmonte International at York next week.
A dual scorer in Listed company, Birr Castle has achieved a high level of form to date, finishing third in last year's Group 2 Prix Dollar at Longchamp, while more recently he finished fourth behind Map Of Stars in the Group 2 Prix d'Harcourt at the same venue in April.
John and Thady Gosden's Ombudsman, who looked ever so good in winning the Prince Of Wales's Stakes at Royal Ascot, was run down late on by Aidan O'Brien's reopposing Delacroix in a pace-muddling Coral-Eclipse Stakes at Sandown last month and with connections not wanting to take any chances of a repeat situation, Andre Fabre's five-year-old was supplemented to the field at a cost of £85,000 on Thursday afternoon.
Birr Castle's addition means a field of nine remains for Wednesday's feature at York next week, with fellow French raider Daryz also in-line to take his chance following a pleasing gallop on Thursday morning.
The Aga Khan Studs-owned colt is now unbeaten in four starts to date following his impressive success in the Prix Eugene Adam (Gr.2) at Saint-Cloud, with connections now looking forward to stepping him up to Group 1 level.
Nemone Routh, racing manager for owners the Aga Khan Studs, told the PA: "I've spoken to the trainer and jockey because Mickael Barzalona rode him, and they were very happy with his piece of work. He'd taken a step forward from his piece of work last week and they were very happy with his condition,"
"He worked with Sibayan and Surabad, a Group 2 winner and Group 3 placed so good horses, and after it the plan is now to run at York if everything goes fine."
Nine contenders were confirmed at Thursday's five-day confirmation stage, with Aidan O'Brien's Coral-Eclipse victor Delacroix a general 6/4 market leader ahead of Ombudsman, while the Japanese raider Danon Decile sits third in at 10/3.
Others that remain in contention for Aidan O'Brien are, dual Derby hero Lambourn, who appears more likely to head to the Great Voltiguer, and the classy Pretty Polly Stakes scorer Whirl.
Andrew Balding has left in See The Fire, while Owen Burrows will be hoping there is some rain around for his Champion Stakes hero Anmaat.
