When age is not a bar in horses

The clash between the four-year-old Duke Of Marmalade and the young upstart New Approach is a rare treat.

YORK // Contests between the Classic generation and their elders have been thin on the ground this season, but this afternoon's clash between the four-year-old Duke Of Marmalade and the young upstart New Approach is a rare treat on the first day of York's four-day Ebor meeting. The Group 1 Juddmonte International Stakes provides the first meaningful comparison in Britain this season between the best of the three-year-old brigade and their elders. Sure, Aidan O'Brien's Henrythenavigator established his credentials over older horses at Glorious Goodwood when taking the Group 1 Sussex Stakes last month. No one would claim, however, that the best of the older opposition that day, Major Cadeaux and Tariq, are top-class milers. Campanologist had the temerity to tackle Duke of Marmalade and others in the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes last in July, but had limited success as 'The Duke' swept to his fourth straight win this season.

New Approach, owned by Her Royal Highness Princess Haya of Jordan, has been off the racetrack due to a muscle problem since winning the Derby at Epsom 10 weeks ago. Following a workout on Friday though, the son of Galileo was given the go-ahead by trainer Jim Bolger. Everything went well on Friday when he had a pipe-opener of five furlongs," he said. "He's sound in mind and body." However, bad weather during the last few days has threatened to scupper the head-to-headWilliam Derby, the clerk of the course, was optimistic though: "There is some light rain forecast for tomorrow morning, it is supposed to be otherwise clear."

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