Racing Centre

Bolger-trained colt tops 92-strong entry for the opening Classic of 2008

Trainer Jim Bolger has delivered an upbeat progress report about New Approach, who is among the 92-strong entry for the 200th running of the Stan James 2000 Guineas, which will be staged at Newmarket on Saturday, May 3.

New Approach, the sponsor’s 2/1 favourite for the opening Classic of 2008, is scheduled to return to the NatWest Rowley Mile on May 3. Unbeaten in his five career starts and the top-rated juvenile of 2007, the son of Galileo has followed a similar path to that of former stablemate Teofilo, who headed the betting for last year's renewal before being retired through injury.

New Approach (pictured below) successfully stepped up to Group One company, winning the Group One National Stakes at the Curragh on September 16, en-route to victory in the Group One Darley Dewhurst Stakes at Newmarket on Champions’ Day, October 20. He will carry the colours of HRH Princess Haya of Jordan this year.

New Approach has subsequently wintered well and is currently being prepared to start his season in the year’s opening Classic, worth £375,000.

Co Carlow-based Bolger revealed today: "New Approach is very well and has done exceptionally over the winter.

"He has put on a lot of condition and most of that has now been honed into muscle.

"He looks very well at the moment – a much stronger horse than last year. He has enough racing experience already and will go straight to Newmarket for the Guineas."

Three Rocks, an unraced son of 2002 Stan James 2000 Guineas winner Rock Of Gibraltar, is an interesting second entry by the master of Glebe House.

Among the 92-strong entry – up from 86 at the same stage in 2007 – who may take on New Approach on the first Saturday in May are Fast Company, Raven’s Pass and Rio De La Plata, the three horses who filled the frame behind him in the Darley Dewhurst Stakes.

John Gosden, trainer of 13/2 second favourite Raven’s Pass, is planning to have another shot at New Approach and may prime his charge with a prep run.

Newmarket-based Gosden said: "He could go for one of the trials - the Craven or the Greenham. Or if the ground isn’t right there is no reason why he couldn’t do a good gallop and go straight into the Guineas. There would be no point in having a trial on soft ground.

"He was a powerful horse anyhow last year but he has done what you would want him to do through the winter. He has grown a little bit, filled out and strengthened through his neck."

Winker Watson is another likely challenger and his trainer Peter Chapple-Hyam is currently mulling over the possibilities of sending the unbeaten Piccolo colt for a trial ahead of the big race.

Chapple-Hyam, who entered 11 for the Stan James 2000 Guineas, said: "Winker Watson is very well and has lengthened more than he has grown.

"In a couple of weeks’ time we will make a decision as to whether he will head straight to the Guineas or whether he will take in a trial first.

"I think he will need a trial as he has been off the track for such a long time."

In total, there are 20 Irish-trained entries, 10 of whom hail from Aidan O'Brien's Ballydoyle Stables, while two of the three French-trained challengers are in the care of Jean Claude Rouget.

O'Brien's contingent includes the twice-raced Group Three Killavullan Stakes winner Jupiter Pluvius, Group Two Coventry Stakes winner Henrythenavigator, who was third to New Approach in the Group Two Futurity Stakes at the Curragh on his most recent start, maiden Great Barrier Reef, who was fifth in the Irish National Stakes, along with Group Three Richmond Stakes and Champagne Stakes third One Great Cat and Acomb Stakes runner-up Lucifer Sam.

An interesting entrant from Ballydoyle is Zulu Chief, an unraced half-brother to 2002 Stan James 2000 Guineas second, Hawk Wing.

Owners Sue Magnier, Michael Tabor and Derrick Smith, who own most of O'Brien's entries between them, are also represented by the Tommy Stack-trained Myboycharlie, who followed up success in the Group One Prix Morny at Longchamp with a good third in the Irish National Stakes on his only defeat.

Another interesting prospect from Ireland is Nownownow, who joined David Wachman after winning the inaugural running of the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf at Monmouth Park on October 26. The trainer has also entered Killavullan Stakes fourth Great War Eagle.

The Irish challenge also includes Dermot Weld's Killavullan Stakes runner-up and Irish National Stakes sixth Famous Name, young trainer David Myerscough's Bruges, winner of the Listed Golden Fleece Stakes at Leopardstown in July, and John Oxx's debut maiden winner Red Eye Express.

Jean Claude Rouget's pair is made up of the unbeaten Blue Exit and Yorktown. Meanwhile Freddie Head's sole entrant is the unbeaten Tamayuz.

With a dozen entered, Godolphin’s trainer Saeed bin Suroor has the largest number of entries engaged, headed by Fast Company and Rio De La Plata.

Lightly-raced with only three starts, including success in the Group Three Acomb Stakes after winning his maiden, Fast Company will be making his first start for Godolphin this season, having been acquired since that good second to New Approach in the Darley Dewhurst Stakes.

Meanwhile, Rio De La Plata, fourth at Newmarket, was a convincing winner of the Group One Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere Grand Criterium at Longchamp on October 7, after finishing runner-up to New Approach in the Irish National Stakes.

Group One Racing Post Trophy winner Ibn Khaldun is among Godolphin’s other entries, along with Group Two Champagne Stakes victor McCartney, Gothenburg, Alexandros, Iguazu Falls, Calming Influence and Young Pretender.

Sir Michael Stoute, the most successful current trainer in the race with five successes, has entered three colts, headed by the relatively unknown quantity, Confront. He followed up a second in a maiden with victory over Stimulation in the Hyperion Conditions Stakes at Ascot, a race that has been won in the past by some decent colts.

Stoute's trio of entries is completed by maiden winner Perfect Stride and the maiden Tartan Bearer.

Other notable entries from at home include Kevin Ryan's Champagne Stakes runner-up Alexander Castle, Jeremy Noseda's Richmond Stakes winner Strike The Deal, and Henry Cecil's pair of progressive condition stakes winners Twice Over and Kandahar Run.

Charlie McCann, head of PR for Stan James, said: "This will be the third year that Stan James has sponsored the 2000 Guineas and we are especially proud to be associated with the 200th renewal of the great race.

"Last year, injury prevented trainer Jim Bolger’s Teofilo from having the opportunity to fulfil the potential of an all-conquering two-year-old campaign. Let’s hope New Approach gets to Newmarket in tip-top condition for what promises to be a vintage running of the 2000 Guineas."

Stan James 2000 Guineas betting: 2 New Approach, 13/2 Raven’s Pass, 7 Fast Company, 8 Ibn Khaldun, 10 Winker Watson, 12 Rio De La Plata, 14 Jupiter Pluvius, 20/1 bar