The Jim Bolger-trained New Approach (Galileo - Park Express, by Ahonoora), last year's unbeaten Champion juvenile but twice beaten by Henrythenavigator in the English and Irish 2000 Guineas, ran out a brilliant winner of the Derby at Epsom on Saturday. The colt had not been expected to run in the race until a late change of heart by trainer Jim Bolger last Monday.

New Approach took the preliminaries well, but once the race got underway he pulled hard and refused to settle for jockey Kevin Manning, who had the colt well back in the field. Descending Tattenham corner, New Approach made progress, but in the straight in a brilliant move Manning took New Approach down the camber to the rail where he quickened to run to the lead with a powerful run that took him well clear. The Dante Stakes winner Tartan Bearer gave chase but was never going to peg back the winner, settling for second half a length down. The favourite Casual Conquest was third, fully four and a half lengths adrift.

Manning told BBC Sport after the race: "He has got a serious, serious engine. He has always been crying out for this trip. He took a bit of a tug early on and got further back than I would have liked, but coming down the hill I had loads of horse and just hoped the gaps would come.

"He's just very, very classy. He gets a mile and a half but he is very pacy. To do what he has done he has to be very pacy. The ground in the Irish Guineas was just way too firm for him. To win this is every jockey's dream."

Bolger, who said he had left the colt in the Derby "by mistake" at the final forfeit stage, said "It is very special. I thought before the race it would be up there with the best. I very willingly say it is the best.

"There is no need to emphasise the mistake. It was the biggest mistake I have made in a long time. But it was fortuitous and it has worked out for the best. I am just extremely lucky and thankful I did make the mistake."

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.