Phoenix Tower registers fourth Group One second

Duke Of Marmalade (Danehill - Love Me True, by Kingmambo) continued his outstanding season with victory in Saturday's Group One Juddmonte International Stakes over ten furlongs at Newmarket, his fifth Group One win in his unbeaten four-year-old season. Phoenix Tower was best of the rest in taking his fourth runner-up spot in a Group One, and New Approach ran on for third, having failed to settle in the first two furlongs, which proved expensive today against his elder rivals.

Pacemaker Red Rocks Canyon set a fair early pace, though New Approach wanted to go at a miler's pace until settling once the runners had rounded the one turn. In the straight Red Rocks Canyon moved wide, allowing Duke Of Mamrmalade a perfect run up the rail. Johnny Murtagh went for home on the son of Danehill but looked momentarily vulnerable as Phoenix Tower and Pipedreamer challenged in the centre of the track, but the rising ground in the final furlong settled the matter as Duke Of Marmalade found his stride and stretched clear to a three quarters of a length success. Two and a half lengths separated Phoenix Tower and New Approach in third.

O'Brien, paying Duke of Marmalade the ultimate complement, said: "This is one of the all-time greats, and if horses are made of stone or concrete, then the Duke is made of something harder. His constitution is simply amazing, and he has everything; speed, class, a fabulous temperament and a remarkable will-to-win.

"What impressed me most this time was the pace that Duke of Marmalade showed. He travelled so well during the race and we could easily drop him back to a mile. He is that versatile.

"It was a very messy week what with his fruitless trip to York. He left Ballydoyle at 5am last Tuesday and it was after 3pm when he got back. There was a lot of hanging around, and you always worry what effect it will have, but if any horse could cope with such a schedule it is the Duke.

"We were afraid to put him on the scales for two days, worried that he might have lost too much weight, so to achieve what he has after such a manic week is a credit to the horse and to all the team at home.

"The Duke is so solid mentally as well as physically - his fighting weight is 540 kilos - that we will seriously consider the Irish Champion Stakes."

Jim Bolger expressed himself happy enough with New Approach. He said: "Beaten but definitely not battered. He ran a very good race and obviously he is on the way back. It would have been better if he had been a little bit sharper.

"We will re-group and I would imagine that you will see a different horse in a couple of weeks time in the Irish Champion Stakes at Leopardstown.

"I am not using the ground as an excuse - he strode out well on it."

Second Listed win for Edge Closer

The earlier Listed Hopeful Stakes over six furlongs was won by Bold Edge colt Edge Closer (Bold Edge - Blue Goddess, by Blues Traveller), who added a second stakes success to his recent Listed Cathedral Stakes win at Salisbury for the in-form Richard Hannon team.

Given his favoured fast surface, Edge Closer raced prominently before making his move a furlong and a half out, instantly quickening to a decisive advantage. He lengthened well up the hill to the line, three-quarters of a length clear of Balthazaar's Gift, who ran on strongly for second ahead of Strike The Deal in third.