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Bolger 'very happy' with Dawn Approach; O'Brien framing plans

Dawn Approach is uncertain to stay the Derby trip (Courtesy of Newmarket Racecourse via Twitter) Jim Bolger, successful with New Approach in the 2008, is pleased with how his son, the unbeaten Dawn Approach, is coming into the Group 1 Derby on June 1. Dawn Approach won the first colts' classic, the one-mile Two Thousand Guineas, at Newmarket in early May and is 4-5 with Coral, the official betting partner of the Derby Festival, to win at Epsom over an additional four furlongs. "When I said at York that the best trials had happened at Coolcullen (Bolger's base) that was a throwaway remark -- it was said in jest as they are not the only ones to matter," his trainer said in a telephone interview with Clare Balding during Thursday's Breakfast with the Stars at Epsom. "I am very happy with Dawn Approach. He has come out of the Guineas very well. His performance in the Guineas was spectacular. And I think that is recognized by everybody. "I couldn't be happier with the horse -- he has been thriving ever since. He is still costing me. I would say he is eating more than he was before the Guineas. "Because he settles so well, has such a good temperament and so much class, he may well get a mile and a half but we won't be sure until we try it.

"I will be leaving the tactics to Kevin (Manning) but hopefully there will be plenty of pace because we need pace to get him settle early on. We would be disappointed if we didn't get pace and, after that, may the best horse win.

"I don't know by what factor you would need to multiply the decibels at Newmarket by to replicate Epsom but I am sure he will be able to cope anyway.

"I am very happy with Dawn Approach and hopefully all will go well in the meantime. Kevin and I know every blade of grass at Epsom. We have walked the track umpteen times and we are happy enough about that.

"As regards the competition, I wish them all well. I respect each and every one of them. I will not be losing any sleep over them.

"For security reasons, we are not divulging at this stage our travel plans. We do expect to be there in time! I won't need security -- I didn't need it five years ago and I don't need it now.

"Of course I am enjoying it. I have been following Epsom Derbys now since the great *Sea-Bird, who happens to be the sire of the fourth dam of Dawn Approach. I am well used to Derbys both as a racegoer and as a trainer and now as a small-bit owner."

Ireland's champion trainer Aidan O'Brien, bidding for a fourth Derby success, is still finalizing plans for this year although Battle of Marengo and Mars both look likely to travel over to Epsom.

"The trials all went well and everything is up in the air at the moment," O'Brien said in a telephone interview.

"Battle of Marengo was always going to Epsom and that's why he stayed at home in his two trials, while the other horses came to Britain. Joseph (O'Brien) has always ridden Battle of Marengo and he'd be short odds to ride him again at Epsom. The other jockeys should fall into place when we firm things up -- we have Seamus (Heffernan), Colm (O'Donoghue) and Ryan (Moore), who has also ridden for us.

"Mars is probably a definite runner. We said after the Guineas (where he finished sixth) we would come to Epsom.

"We also have Ruler of the World, who also has the options of Royal Ascot and the Irish Derby, while Magician and Flying the Flag have been declared for the Irish Two Thousand Guineas on Saturday. They all work individually and so far are in good shape.

"Obviously, Dawn Approach is a top horse and Jim has trained him brilliantly. He was a five-length winner of the Guineas and wasn't stopping."

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