EPSOM DERBY NEWSFORMER DERBY favourite New Approach looks set to take his chance at Epsom on Saturday after all. Connections have been heartened by current ground conditions and how the colt has come out of the Irish 2,000 Guineas nine days ago when he was second to Henrythenavigator.
Trainer Jim Bolger had indicated at a media event in April he was leaning away from the Derby for last season's champion two-year-old. However, he remains among a field of 18 at the confirmation stage and is set to line up as long as the ground gets no quicker than good.
John Ferguson, bloodstock advisor to Sheikh Mohammed, whose wife Princess Haya of Jordan owns the horse, said: "I received a phone call from Jim Bolger saying that New Approach was in exceptional form and had come out of the Irish 2,000 Guineas really well.
"He recommended that if the ground was suitable that the horse take his chance in the Derby. I passed the message on to Sheikh Mohammed, who agrees that as long as the horse is 100 per cent and the ground is suitable the horse will run. It's very exciting."
Epsom clerk of the course Andrew Cooper was happy New Approach was among the acceptors.
"I am delighted to see New Approach in there. For the first time in the entry system Mr Bolger has physically had to state that he is leaving the horse in," said Cooper. "I know it's not the final declaration stage but we are delighted nevertheless.
"We've got three supplementary entries, which is excellent, and we are in for a tantalising race."
Cooper described the going as good to soft and although Monday started dry, rain was expected later and overnight. "The forecast for rain ranges from six millimetres to up to an inch," he added.
New Approach is a 6 to 1 chance with Ladbrokes and 7s with the Betfair betting exchange, who report some extraordinary trading, with one punter having £27.50 (€34.79) at odds of 209 to 1. Spokesman Tony Calvin said: "When we suspended the market at midday today for the five-day declaration stage, New Approach was trading as the 7 to 1 third favourite.
"And to me that seems a huge price, given that he now appears highly likely to take his chance and is Timeform's top-rated horse in the race, and one many are expecting to relish the extra half mile."
Ante-post backers of current favourite Casual Conquest were able to breathe a sigh of relief as Dermot Weld's colt was supplemented. Owners Moyglare Stud forked out the £75,000 to get the son of Hernando into the Classic and the news came as no great surprise.
Casual Conquest has only raced twice in his life but made a massive impression when bolting up in the Derrinstown Stud Derby Trial Stakes early last month. Stan Cosgrove, the stud's manager, said: "The money has been paid and I think he has a very good chance. It's just exciting to have a runner. He'd be happy with a bit of give in the ground but they are very good with the track at Epsom."
Chester Vase winner Doctor Fremantle, trained by Michael Stoute, and French 2,000 Guineas third River Proud from Paul Cole's stable are the other two supplementary entries.
Stoute is likely to have three runners in his bid to win the race for a fifth time as he has left in Dante winner Tartan Bearer and Dee Stakes victor Tajaaweed.
Aidan O'Brien has taken out dual 2,000 Guineas winner Henrythenavigator but still has a team of five led by Dante runner-up Frozen Fire. His others are Alessandro Volta, Bashkirov, King Of Rome and Washington Irving.
Leading fancy Curtain Call stands his ground for dual Derby-winning trainer Luca Cumani, Godolphin rely on Rio De La Plata and trainer Henry Cecil, with four Derby triumphs to his credit, is banking on Kandahar Run.
Completing the field are Alan Devonshire, Bouguereau, Bronze Cannon and Maidstone Mixture.
Vodafone Derby, Ladbrokes bet: 3-1 Casual Conquest, 4-1 Curtain Call, 6-1 New Approach, Tajaaweed, 7-1 Tartan Bearer, 8-1 Doctor Fremantle, 14-1 Rio De La Plata, Frozen Fire, 20-1 Kandahar Run, King Of Rome, 25-1 Alessandro Volta, Bronze Cannon, 33-1 bar.
