New Approach, a brilliant winner of the Derby at Epsom in June, can make light of a two-month absence to land a cracking renewal of the Juddmonte International Stakes (3.25) at York today.

Runner-up to Henrythenavigator in the 2,000 Guineas' at both Newmarket and the Curragh, New Approach put up a remarkable performance to win at Epsom, as he pulled hard throughout the first mile of the contest. Few horses win after doing that in any race, let alone the Blue Riband, yet New Approach managed to quicken sharply to hit the front before battling gamely to hold off the challenge of Tartan Bearer.

A muscle problem forced New Approach to bypass the Irish Derby, but he is back in rude health now and, proven on heavy ground, looks the one to beat.

The connections of Duke Of Marmalade should be applauded for their sporting decision - confirmed yesterday - to let their brilliant colt take his chance. He has looked exceptional in winning all four starts this year, all at the highest level, showing an excellent attitude when rallying to beat Papal Bull in the King George at Ascot last month. However, this son of Danehill has never encountered such soft ground on a racecourse and there is little encouragement in his breeding that he will relish it.

Pipedreamer and Phoenix Tower have both shown their best form on a faster surface, so Multidimensional may prove the pick of the outsiders. He was well beaten in the Eclipse after setting an overly strong early pace, but will have benefited from a confidence-boosting win under similar conditions in group three company at Haydock last time.

Patkai has a highly progressive profile and will be hard to beat in the Ladbrokes Great Voltigeur Stakes (2.50). He stormed clear for a seven-length success in the two-mile Queen's Vase at Royal Ascot and that ability to stay farther should stand him in good stead in the prevailing testing conditions.

He should be too strong for the Aidan O'Brien-trained Alessandro Volta, who is dropped in grade after having his limitations exposed in group one company on his past three starts.

The Cheka will be a warm order for the Tattersalls Millions Acomb Stakes (2.15) after making a ten-length winning debut at Ascot. However, preference is for Prince Siegfried. The latter also made a most taking start when beating Full Toss by five lengths in a decent maiden at Salisbury and, with that form working out well, he can retain his unbeaten record.

The Symphony Group Handicap (1.45) is a typically competitive sprint. The effect of the draw is something of an unknown at the start of the meeting, but it usually pays to race up the centre of the track here and River Falcon looks well placed in stall seven to launch his usual strong finish. Three of his six career successes have come at this track, while he has been shaping with plenty of promise on unsuitably fast ground of late. With the softer conditions in his favour, he looks good value at 12-1 with Ladbrokes.

Few in the Irwin Mitchell Solicitors Nursery Handicap (4.05) have had a chance to prove their worth on heavy ground. One who has is Lakeman, who won a maiden over course and distance under similar conditions in July, showing a good attitude to come out on top. A fair third to Zuzu at Ripon on Saturday, he can make the most of a lenient mark.

The Patrington Haven Leisure Park Handicap (4.40) features a host of progressive performers, but Rose Street is fancied to come out on top. This lightly-raced filly made an eyecatching reappearance over an inadequate trip at Kempton, staying on strongly in the closing stages to beat all bar Premio Loco. That should have put her spot-on for this valuable contest and, with this extra quarter-mile much in her favour, she can go one better.