Juddmonte International at York

York´s Ebor meeting begins today when the main feature is the Group One Juddmonte International over an extended 10 furlongs at 16.25 CET. This is always one of the best races of the season, but the problem this time is the heavy going following a long wet spell. On all known form two Irish-trained colts stand out - Aidan O´Brien´s Duke of Marmalade (Johnny Murtagh), unbeaten in 4 Group Ones this season and the highest-rated turf horse in the world, and Jim Bolger´s New Approach (Kevin Manning), who has not been seen in public since winning the Derby and has apparently recovered from the muscle problems which caused him to miss the Irish Derby.

Last year the Derby winner Authorized defeated the best O´Brien older horse Dylan Thomas in this race and the same result is possible here, especially as New Approach is much more likely to go well on the ground than Duke of Marmalade. With slight doubts about the principals, because of the going in Duke of Marmalade´s case and because of his fitness in New Approach´s, there must be a possibility of an upset, although the other runners are well held on form. Phoenix Tower (Henry Cecil/ Ted Durcan) was 4 lengths behind Duke of Marmalade at Royal Ascot, but finished in front of several of these whe just touched ff in the Eclipse. cecil´s other runner Multidimensonal (Tom Queally) won the heavy last time against weaker opposition, but did not look as if he were enjoying himself. David Elsworth´s Stubbs Art (Jamie Spencer), the only other 3yo in the field, is well held by New Approach on the form in the English and Irish Guineas, but could still be an interesting each-way bet at 50-1.

Betting forecast:
1.Race: Cheveton - Chief Editor - Strike Up The Band
2.Race: The Cheka - Prince Siegfried - Born To Be King
3.Race: Patkai - Alessandro Volta - Top Lock
4.Race: Duke Of Marmalade - New Approach - Pipedreamer
5.Race: Polish Pride - Favourite Girl - Carnaby Haggerston
6.Race: Love Galore - Tastahil - Allied Powers