Derby contenders: Casual Conquest | Curtain Call | Doctor Fremantle | Frozen Fire | Henrythenavigator | Kandahar Run | King Of Rome | New Approach | Tajaaweed | Tartan Bearer

NEW APPROACH (IRE) 3-y-o (18 Feb 2005) ch c

Galileo(IRE) - Park Express (Ahonoora)

Trainer: J S Bolger Owner: H R H Princess Haya Of Jordan Bred: Lodge Park Stud

Galileo won six of his eight races. He was unbeaten in three runs over a mile and a half; all came in Group One events. In his short career at stud, Galileo has sired Group One mile and a half winners Soldier Of Fortune and Red Rocks. In addition, he is a strong influence for stamina. St Leger winner Sixties Icon, Purple Moon, Mahler and Galactic Star are all currently representing him on the racecourse. New Approach’s dam Park Express, won the 1986 Group One Irish Champion Stakes amongst other top-class races. The only Group One winner she has thrown apart from New Approach, is Shinko Forest. He was a top-class sprinter in Japan.

New Approach was five from five last season. His best performance came in the Dewhurst Stakes. Having made all the running in his previous races, he was held up on this occasion. Despite pulling hard in the early stages, he did well to master Raven’s Pass and then hold Fast Company’s late run. Returning to action this year, New Approach ran a gallant race in the 2000 Guineas. Leading for most of the way, he was grabbed close home by the late run of Henrythenavigator. A re-match at the Curragh, ended up with the horse in the runner-up spot once again. However, this time he was well and truly beaten; FSF figures suggest he ran below form.

Jim Bolger insisted the ground was too fast for him at the Curragh. My research shows the time of the race suggests it was good ground. Indeed, the time was almost identical to Bachir’s in 2000, when the official going was yielding. New Approach should relish the step up in trip, and any ease in the ground.

I confess I have never been a lover of the way this horse runs as he carries his head at awkward angles. Furthermore, I wonder if he is a horse that is happiest when racing on his own. When he raced midfield in last season’s Dewhurst Stakes, he failed to settle and front-running tactics were re-employed this season. It will be no easy task to repeat that style of running at Epsom.

Rather than get into the heated debate on Jim Bolger’s “on/off” decision to run, I will remind readers of some comments he made at a media morning in late April. Bolger admitted to “two little problems.” The one that worried me most is, “New Approach can take a strong hold going to the start.” Given the pre-race razzmatazz, plus the long walk down to the mile and a half start, I would advise would-be backers to monitor his behaviour.