Duke of Marmalade has been installed as 4/1 joint favourite for the Breeders Cup Classic by Coral following a succession of "informed bet requests" for the Aidan O'Brien's colt.

The four-year-old was an absentee from Sunday's Irish Champion Stakes at Leopardstown because of the testing ground.

"The source and size of the bets on Duke Of Marmalade strongly suggest that the Breeders Cup Classic is now on his agenda, and he looks a worthy favourite at this stage", said Coral spokesman Simon Clare.

"If Curlin, Big Brown and New Approach all line-up against him, the Classic could well earn the tag of the race of the century, particularly as we are only eight years into it!"

Meanwhile Duke Of Marmalade's stablemate Henrythenavigator remains 4/1 favourite for the Breeders Cup Mile with the same firm despite his defeat in the Prix du Moulin at Longchamp.

He has been eased to 5/1 for the Classic.