Approach assumes Champion favouritism

LEOPARDSTOWN’S downpours are swinging the betting pendulum towards New Approach as Jim Bolger’s Derby winner nears his second clash in a fortnight with Duke Of Marmalade in the Tattersalls Millions Irish Champion Stakes.

Some 45 millimetres of rain fell on the Dublin track between early Friday morning and the afternoon, prompting the ground to become soft and move New Approach to favourite on several of the bookmakers’ revised betting and also on the exchanges.

Just two weeks ago he met the Aidan O’Brien-trained Duke Of Marmalade in the rescheduled Juddmonte International Stakes at Newmarket, where the chestnut was very keen in the early stages and finished third, just over three lengths adrift of his rival.