Last Updated: Mon, 18 Aug 2008 23:42
Duke Of Marmalade has been trading as an uneasy favourite for Tuesday's Juddmonte International Stakes, due to worries over the ground.
After heavy rain, the ground at York is expected to be bottomless, conditions the Aidan O'Brien-trained colt has not experienced before and he has drifted from a low of 1.73 to 2.44.
The four-year-old did land his first Group 1 on soft ground at Longchamp in April but how he will act on heavy ground is unknown.
Chief rival, Derby winner New Approach ,could yet head the market despite having his first run since his Epsom heroics in June. Jim Bolger's son of Galileo is said to have been working well at home and has won on heavy ground before, but any fitness doubts could be exposed on stamina sapping ground, even though the trip is two furlongs less than the Derby.
Amazingly both runners are set to stand their ground, despite conditions which could yet worsen, for what is being billed as the race of the year