Murtagh hoping to make light of heavy ground

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 at York today.

There are doubts about the Aidan O’Brien-trained colt’s ability to handle the bottomless conditions he is likely to encounter.

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.