Champions from Japan, Ireland, France and Great Britain will battle to be acclaimed the champion of champions in a fascinating Group 1 International Stakes (2051m) race at York on Wednesday (20 August).

Shogo Yasuda, trainer of Danon Decile, knows that his star faces a difficult task but has confidence in his ability. "Of course, I respect the European horses," he said. "It is not easy to travel from Japan, and we have a big mountain to climb but I believe, potentially, he can climb it."

Danon Decile  has not run since winning the G1 Dubai Sheema Classic (2410m) in April, but Yasuda is satisfied that he is ready. "We have not run him again because of the extreme heat in Japan," he explained, "but I am very happy at how he is now. He can get excited, but he is getting calmer every day he is here in Newmarket, and he seems to be enjoying the different environment. I feel he has a good chance."

Ombudsman and Delacroix are the main – but not the only – obstacles to a Japanese success.

Having won a Group 1 contest at Royal Ascot, Ombudsman was narrowly beaten by Delacroix in a similarly high-class race at Sandown last month.

At York, the Godolphin-owned Ombudsman will have Birr Castle joining him to act as pacemaker.

Ombudsman's joint-trainer Thady Gosden said, "He won at his first attempt in a Group 1 race and at Sandown was beaten by a top-class three-year-old. He's come out of that race well. He's such a genuine horse, has got the required speed, and hopefully will run a good race."

Delacroix's trainer, Aidan O'Brien, will be aiming to come out on top for a second successive year. He was particularly impressed by the colt's performance when making strong progress uphill in the final 400 metres at Sandown. He said, "Delacroix's got a lot of speed and quickens exceptionally well. It's rare to see what he did, and is what sets good horses apart."

Despite having won all four of his races, including a Group 2 contest, French contender Daryz will need to improve. Nemone Routh, racing manager for the owner, Aga Khan Studs, acknowledges the tough challenge. He said, "The field is a strong one and we're under no illusions it's going to be a very tough race but the horse is in great form. It will be fast ground, which he handles well and we'll see how good he is."

By then, O'Brien will hope to have already won the G2 Great Voltigeur Stakes (2371m) with Lambourn. As the winner of both the G1 Derby Stakes (2405m) and the Irish Derby (2400m), Lambourn will be a short price. The trainer explained that the race is preparation for Group 1 races later in the year, the St Leger and Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe.

He said, "He's a straightforward horse and everything has gone well since the Irish Derby. He's had an easy time since then and is in great shape."