Racing: Johnny Murtagh is unsure what effect the ground will have on the eagerly-awaited clash between his mount Duke Of Marmalade and New Approach in the Juddmonte International Stakes.
There are doubts about the Aidan O'Brien-trained colt's ability to handle the bottomless conditions he is likely to encounter at York tomorrow.
Although Duke Of Marmalade recorded the first of his four Group One successes on soft ground at Longchamp in April, conditions on the Knavesmire seem certain to be softer still.
O'Brien voiced his concerns about the prospect of heavy ground on Sunday, although connections gave him the go-ahead to clash with the Vodafone Derby winner today.
"I don't know about the ground and what effect it will have," admitted Murtagh, who has struck up a formidable alliance with the son of Danehill this season.
"But I do really believe in this horse and I'm glad that he's taking his chance."
New Approach has not run since his heroics at Epsom in June, having been forced to miss the Irish Derby following a setback.
He worked well at Jim Bolger's Coolcullen base on Friday, however, and testing ground over an extended 10 furlongs promises to play more to his strengths than Duke Of Marmalade.
Bolger said: "He's very well. The ground is not ideal, but hopefully it will dry outsomewhat.
"He's won over a mile and a half and he's won on heavy before as well. Hopefully he is strong enough now to take on the battle-hardened older horses."
The Galileo colt - whose only two career defeats came in the English and Irish 2000 Guineas at the hands of Henrythenavigator - runs in the colours of Princess Haya of Jordan, the wife of Sheikh Mohammed.
John Ferguson, bloodstock advisor to Sheikh Mohammed, said: "He ran on heavy ground last year, so hopefully that won't cause a problem.
"Jim is happy with the horse and we are looking forward to seeing him on the racecourse again.
"It's always a big challenge taking on older horses in a race like this, but he's a Derby winner so he deserves to take his chance."
Ladbrokes had gone as big as 6-1 about New Approach last week, but now have Duke Of Marmalade 5-4 (from evens) with New Approach into 6-4 (from 13-8)
Spokesman David Williams said: "The forecast from York has prompted yet more support for New Approach as Duke of Marmalade continues to drift.
"The prospect of getting odds-against about Duke of Marmalade last week was unthinkable, but the Juddmonte market has been thrown wide open."
Ryan Moore rides the Michael Stoute-trained Rob Roy and he offered his opinion on the mouth-watering showdown between Duke Of Marmalade and New Approach.
Speaking on At The Races, the former champion jockey explained how impressed he was with Duke Of Marmalade's most recent display, but implied that the bottomless conditions could tip the balance in favour of New Approach, who just denied Moore's mount Tartan Bearer in the Derby.
He said: "He's incredible (Duke Of Marmalade), he looked like he was having his first run (of the season) at Ascot (in the King George) he looked so well. He was very relaxed, he wasn't sweating, he's a magnificent racehorse.
"You have to wonder if he'll be as effective on that ground.
"New Approach is by Galileo and Mr Bolger always thought he wants cut in the ground.
"His performance in the Derby was incredible, he pulled hard but still got up to beat my horse (Tartan Bearer) who is a proper horse."
Connections of the other runners also have their eye on the weather. Pipedreamer, trained by John Gosden, has yet to be confirmed a definite starter.
"We're going to walk the track and see how things unravel. It's just a question of how much more rain they get," said Chris Richardson, managing director of owners the Cheveley Park Stud.
The Henry Cecil-trained Phoenix Tower, runner-up in Group One races on his last three starts, will line-up though he has yet to tackle these conditions.
"The ground will be testing, no question about that. The horse is in good form but we are going into the unknown on the ground," said Teddy Grimthorpe, racing manager to owner Khalid Abdullah.
Cecil also saddles Multidimensional, who showed he can act on heavy going when winning the Group Three Rose of Lancaster Stakes at Haydock earlier this month.
"Mr Cecil is very pleased how he's taken the Haydock race and he's given him the green light for tomorrow, but it's a very strong contest," said Alan Cooper, racing manager to owners the Niarchos family.
"He's returning to Group One company and it's a possible championship race. He takes his chance and hopefully he'll acquit himself well.
"Haydock was very heavy - he wasn't at his best on the ground - but he got through it. Conditions won't be a disadvantage tomorrow."
Stoute's recent Munich Group One winner Linngari was declared a non-runner due to the ground.