Juddmonte clash rescheduled for Friday

Racing : York hope to run a rescheduled Juddmonte International Stakes, which will feature the mouthwatering duel between Duke…

Racing: York hope to run a rescheduled Juddmonte International Stakes, which will feature the mouthwatering duel between Duke Of Marmalade and New Approach, on Friday following the late abandonment of the first day of the Ebor Festival.

The 10-furlong Group One, which would have seen a fascinating face-off between leading older horse Duke Of Marmalade and Derby winner New Approach, was the headline victim of a waterlogged track.

But York have already issued a revised schedule, with the International switching to 2.50pm on Friday — just 35 minutes before the Group One Coolmore Nunthorpe on what could be a stellar day of action.

The Ladbrokes Great Voltigeur Stakes, a major trial for the St Leger, has been added to Thursday's agenda at 2.50pm, while the Tattersalls Millions Acomb Stakes is due to be run at 4.05pm on Wednesday.

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The Knavesmire venue will still have to pass a 4pm inspection this afternoon if Wednesday's meeting is to go ahead.

Clerk of the course William Derby was initially confident of the meeting going ahead, despite heavy rain over the weekend, but 11 millimetres of rain on Monday night prompted an 8.30am check.

That inspection found the track to be unraceable and Derby will now make a thorough assessment of conditions later today.

He said: "We will hold an inspection at 4pm for racing for the rest of the week. We've abandoned racing for today following 11mm of overnight rain.

"There has also been continuing rain this morning, which started up again at around 8am."

Tralee, meanwhile, have also cancelled this afternoon's meeting and will inspect at 6pm to assess conditions for Wednesday's fixture. Heavy rain in the Co Kerry region has left the track waterlogged, with the situation also looking shaky for tomorrow's card.

Irish Turf Club press officer, Cliff Noone, said: "They are hoping to get a good, drying day today so as to give them some kind of a chance for Wednesday. The situation is not looking fantastic, though."