The feature contest of day one and should the eagerly-awaited clash of the generations materialise, a real treat awaits us all. All-aged Group One events throughout the summer months, for one reason or another, have failed to provide us with the tried and tested method of how the Classic generation match up against their older counterparts, but this mouthwatering showdown would give us some indication. Last year the concession of 7lbs by Dylan Thomas to Authorized proved too much and with the vibes emerging from Ballydoyle not strong regarding Duke Of Marmalade and his effectiveness on the prevailing heavy ground we will side with the three year-old brigade to land it for the second year in succession and take NEW APPROACH to make a winning return after his scintillating victory at Epsom. Withdrawn on the morning of the Irish Derby owing to a muscle problem, the selection proved himself one of the best three-year-olds in recent years with a hugely impressive victory at Epsom. The manner in which he sliced through the field down the straight, having been very keen in the early stages, was hugely impressive. And let's not forget, he would be a dual Guineas winner but for the existence of Henrythenavigator. The testing ground conditions should prove no problem to Jim Bolger's colt as he did most of his winning as a juvenile on easy surfaces while 10 furlongs is even more likely to suit than 12 given his exuberant style of racing. Provided he remains calm in the preliminaries, he should take a deal of beating. Duke Of Marmalade bids for his fifth Group One victory of the season here and having proved he gets 12 furlongs in the King George, connections seem anxious to drop him back to what is his optimum trip. But his chances are severely dented by the heavy ground. This race has been billed as a match but Phoenix Tower and Pipedreamer are by no means forlorn hopes. Phoenix Tower was pipped on the line by Mount Nelson in the Eclipse where the stiff climb allowed him to stay in the mix as he appears short of a pace at a crucial stage in his races. Pipedreamer was a Group Two winner over course and distance last time, but has seen the rear of Phoenix Tower already this season and whether this will be any different is debatable. Multidimensional showed good battling qualities to land the Rose Of Lancaster Stakes in very deep ground at Haydock last time. He found the ground too lively when he cut out the early pace in the Eclipse but once again falls below the required standard to win a domestic Group One. It would be a huge shock should any of the remainder get in a blow, but fingers crossed the big clash will materialise. If it does, expect the Derby winner to halt the Ballydoyle bandwagon, at least for now.
Championship Point (IRE) 20-1 (9-7) In touch, effort over 3f out, ridden and weakened over 2f out, 5th of 7, 12l behind Multidimensional (9-3) at Haydock 1m 3f Grp 3 (1) hvy.
Duke Of Marmalade (IRE) 4-6fav (9-7) Mid-division, strong headway to lead over 1f out, edged right, headed inside final furlong, rallied, stayed on strongly to lead close home, won at Ascot 1m 4f Grp 1 (1) gf in Jul beating Papal Bull (9-7) by 1/2l, 8 ran.
Halicarnassus (IRE) 20-1 (9-2) Held up, headway to chase leaders 3f out, kept on same pace, 4th of 7, 2 1/2l behind Pipedreamer (9-2) at York 1m 2f Yorks Oaks (1) gf in Jul.
Linngari (IRE) 7-2 (9-6) Held up, headway 2f out, led 1f out, ran on well, won at Munich 1m 2f Grp 1 (1) gd in Jul beating Pressing (9-6) by 2l, 9 ran.
Multidimensional (IRE) 2-1fav (9-3) Chased leader, led well over 2f out, wandered under pressure over 1f out, driven out, won at Haydock 1m 3f Grp 3 (1) hvy beating Bahia Breeze (9-0) by 1 1/2l, 7 ran.
Phoenix Tower (USA) 5-2fav (9-7) Mid-division, headway to lead over 1f out, pressed soon after, ran on under pressure, caught final stride, 2nd of 8, shd behind Mount Nelson (9-7) at Sandown 1m 2f Grp 1 (1) gf in Jul.
Pipedreamer 2-1fav (9-2) Slowly into stride, towards rear, headway over 3f out, ridden to lead 2f out, kept on final furlong, driven out, won at York 1m 2f Yorks Oaks (1) gf in Jul beating Campanologist (8-9) by 1 1/2l, 7 ran.
Red Rock Canyon (IRE) 125-1 (9-7) Led, hard driven over 3f out, headed over 1f out, stayed on gamely, 4th of 8, 11l behind Duke Of Marmalade (9-7) at Ascot 1m 4f Grp 1 (1) gf in Jul.
Rob Roy (USA) 14-1 (9-7) Held up, stayed on from over 1f out, ran on inside final furlong, not reach leaders, 5th of 8, 2l behind Mount Nelson (9-7) at Sandown 1m 2f Grp 1 (1) gf in Jul.
New Approach (IRE) 5-1 (9-0) Held up towards rear, headway 2f out, quickened to lead over 1f out, stayed on, won at Epsom 1m 4f Grp 1 (1) gd in Jun beating Tartan Bearer (9-0) by 1/2l, 16 ran.
Stubbs Art (IRE) 25-1 (9-0) Tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened quickly 2f out, 6th of 8, 13l behind Henrythenavigator (9-0) at Ascot 1m 3yo Grp 1 (1) gf in Jun.
