Stage set for New Approach to light the track ablaze

With the Cheltenham and Aintree festivals behind us, the focus of attention now turns to the flat racing
action and, just like twelve months ago, Jim Bolger has a champion two year old to lead his squad into battle.

New Approach is the horse in question. And punters must be keeping their fingers crossed that he does not follow in the hoof prints of his stable mate Teofilo, who failed to race as a three year old.

New Approach completed his five race unbeaten sequence in the Dewhurst Stakes, where he defeated Fast Company, who has joined the powerful Godolphin during the winter months.

Bolger’s horse has reportly wintered very well and is on course to make his seasonal debut in the Stan James 2000 Guineas.

Fast Company is just one of a number of horses that will challenge New Approach but, perhaps the main threat will come from the Godolphin team in the shape of the unbeaten Ibn Khaldun.

He rounded off his two year old campaign by capturing the Racing Post Trophy, the same race that last years Derby hero, Authorized, won on his way to classic glory.

2007 was an unusually quiet one for the two year olds from Ballydoyle. But trainer Aidan O’Brien
(pictured above) still houses a number of classic contenders, with the main two at this stage to be Jupiter Pluvis and Henrythenavigator.

Pluvis was a backward two year old, and did not make his debut until October, where he landed his maiden in good style. He quickly followed up when he captured the Group Three Killavullan Stakes. This race has been a good guide to classic success as, Footstepsinthesand landed this race on his way to
winning the 2000 Guineas.

Henrythenavigator has not been since he finished third to New Approach at the Curragh. He has, however, proved himself to be very talented, as he won the Coventry Stakes at Royal Ascot last year on his second start. If he can rediscover that type of form he will surly be in the shake up for all the big mile races.

The 1000 Guineas market has been the cause of a shake-up, following the news that long time anti post favourite Listen will miss the race, as she suffered a setback in training.

The new market leader, Muthabara, has been the subject of an amazing gamble as she has been baked in from big prices for the race. She has only run twice and needs to step up to the classic standard, but, if money talks then, she will have a leading chance come the first weekend in May.

Aidan O’Brien, who trains the now injured Listen, is in the dark as to who may represent him in the fillies classic but mentioned a few would could line up. “Savethisdanceforme is on course while Kitty Matcham, who won the Rockfel last season, is also on target,” the trainer said.

The Derby, the main classic of the season, has not really taken shape at this stage of the season. There has been one horse, Washington Irving, who has reappeared, when he finished second at a race at Leopards town.

The flat season promises to be of the most exciting in recent years. This is in part to the number of excellent older horses, like Soldier of Fortune, Peeping Fawn, Yeats and Lucarno been kept in training to build on their success they have achieved already. It promises to be a rollercoaster ride.

- Alan Conway