The showdown between Duke of Marmalade and New Approach will be delayed until at least Friday after rain forced the cancellation of York’s opening-day card on Tuesday.

Track officials also canceled York's Wednesday card. 

Duke of Marmalade, coming off a victory in the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes (Eng-G1), was set to face Epsom Derby (Eng-G1) winner New Approach in the Juddmonte International Stakes (Eng-G1).

Weather permitting, the Juddmonte International will instead be contested on Friday.

“Based on the forecast, we have the best of chance of racing on Friday,” William Derby, York’s clerk of the course, told Racing Post. “If we get the sun on our backs for a 24-hour period, I am optimistic.”

Two other group races also were affected by the cancellations of the Tuesday and Wednesday cards. Plans to reschedule the Acomb Stakes (Eng-G3), which had been pushed back to Wednesday, are incomplete. The Great Voltigeur Stakes (Eng-G2) is now scheduled for Thursday.