No mistake by Bolger's Derby hero

Jun 8 2008 By Robin Weir

NEW APPROACH galloped into Derby history - and wrote the final chapter in one of racing's greatest mysteries.

Irish trainer Jim Bolger had indicated over a month ago that the colt was unlikely to run in the world's greatest Flat race.

Then only last week in an astonishing U-turn that rocked the turf world Bolger insisted he had left New Approach in "by mistake" and he would now take his chance.

The move stunned punters and bookies alike and turned the ante-post market upside down.

New Approach - as big as 200-1 a matter of days ago on the presumption he wouldn't turn up at Epsom - was quickly hammered into and started at 5-1 yesterday.

And the three-year-old duly rewarded his backers with a heart-stopping display to land the £800,000 first prize.

Runner-up in the English and Irish 2000 Guineas runner-up, New Approach and Kevin Manning gallantly held the persistent challenge of Sir Michael Stoute's 6-1 shot Tartan Bearer, ridden by Ryan Moore, by half a length

Another Irish runner, the 7-2 jolly Casual Conquest, was four and a half lengths away in third with Doctor Fremantle (11-2) fourth.

Bolger insisted after his charge's nailbiting victory: "There is no need to emphasise my mistake. It was the biggest one 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.

" I admitted it from the word go and don't see why people should have had such a big problem.

" I put my hands up.

"Winning the Derby is special. I thought before the race it would be up there with the best. I willingly say now it is the best."

Winning jock Manning said: "New Approach has a serious, serious engine. He has always been crying out for 12 furlongs.

"He's so classy. He gets a mile and a half but is still pacy.

"The ground in the Irish Guineas was just way too firm for him. To win this is every jockey's dream."

New Approach can be fractious and there had been plenty of talk about him being ponied - accompanied by a stablemate - down to the start, something that caused a delay in the Newmarket Guineas.

But there were no dramas this time and Bolger said: "Everything was calm and according to plan."

Bolger paid tribute to his jockey, saying: "Kevin really starred, he kept his cool and did everything right.

"He didn't panic, he had a huge job trying to manageNew Approach and steer him and he got it done in great style. This is one we owe to Kevin."

Stoute, who had three runners, said: "I am delighted with them. I thought we might have won but I had an absolutely terrible view and would like to see the race again."

Casual Conquest's trainer Dermot Weld said: "The horse has done me proud. It was a good Derby and I don't want to take anything away from the winner who is an exceptional horse.

"The next stage is probably a rematch in the Irish Derby."

There were winners and losers among bookies following New Approach's victory.

Victor Chandler was one of the hardest hit, laying a £50,000 each-way wager at 6-1 in his ante-post book to be his worst result by a long way.

Aspokesman said: "It was a really shocking result for us. New Approach was the medium of a real gamble."

But a William Hill spokesman was much more upbeat, saying: "It's a winning result so maybe we should raise a glass to Mr Bolger after all."

David Williams of Ladbrokes said: "We've come out of this in reasonable shape considering New Approach went into the winter break as a red hot Derby favourite."

HOW THEY FINISHED

1 NEW APPROACH 5-1

2 TARTAN BEARER 6-1

3 CASUAL CONQUEST 7-2 fav

Also: 4th 7 Doctor Freemantle; 5th Washington Irving; 6th Alessandro Volta; 7th Rio de La Plata; 8th Tajaaweed; 9th Bouguereau; 10th Curtain Call; 11th Frozen Fire; 12th King Of Rome; 13th Alan Devonshire; 14th Kandahar Run; 15th Bashkirov; 16th Maidstone Mixture.