Godolphin

16 ran 2m36.50  
Owner: H. R. H. Princess Haya of Jordan

The two hundred and twenty-ninth running of the Derby brought story lines which had been bubbling under during the build-up to a thrilling climax, as New Approach and Tartan Bearer pulled clear of their rivals in a manner that only top-class horses can, Timeform's champion 2-y-o and dual Guineas runner-up getting the better of the Dante winner, with Ireland's most important trial winner back in third; bulletins/broadcasts both before and after the race were dominated by the winning trainer's U-turn after he'd indicated strongly that the Irish Derby was the priority for New Approach, and that the colt had been left in the final forfeit stage for Epsom by mistake, a course of events that did the image of racing's Blue Riband, and certainly those punting on the race, no favours; the race itself, for which 3 colts were supplemented at a cost of £75,000 per horse (Casual Conquest, Doctor Fremantle and River Proud, the last-named withdrawn the day before due to lameness) was an above-average renewal, even without a challenger from France; a sound early pace steadied noticeably after 3f, and the race was more of a test of speed than usual, the timefigure the slowest since Shaamit in 1996; both the first 2 deserve extra credit having come from some way back. NEW APPROACH (IRE), for all much has been made of the quirky side of his character, is undoubtedly a tough and top-class racehorse and, given his performance here, his awkwardness at the Curragh last time can surely be put down to the firmer ground; he actually appears to be improving with regard to his temperament, looking in good trim and relaxing fairly well as he was accompanied to the start by his now regular equine companion, hardly causing any delay; ridden differently this time, he failed to settle early on, pulling fiercely, eventually anchored behind the majority of the field, but, once in line for home, a combination of luck and daring saw him weave across to the far rail (hampered a rival at one stage, for which the rider was suspended for 3 days), quickly into top gear, hitting the front 1f out and finding extra when pressed by the runner-up, actually looking to score a tad more decisively than the bare result indicates; he now goes to the Curragh, where a rematch with Tartan Bearer will be something to savour; his trainer, regardless of the merits of how he handled the "will he, won't he" affair, deserves top marks for producing New Approach better than ever after gruelling races at Newmarket and the Curragh, becoming the first horse since The Minstrel in 1977 to win the Derby after finishing second in the Guineas at those two courses. TARTAN BEARER (IRE), bearing in mind his inexperience, especially compared to the winner, ran a stormer, still behind New Approach 3f out and just foiled having moved narrowly ahead over 1f out, at that stage (as he had in the Dante), tending to idle, only really showing how much he'd got left in his locker when the winner took over, the pair putting 4½ lengths between themselves and the remainder; a little restive in the preliminaries (crossed noseband, 2 handlers), he's nothing like his illustrious brother Golan (who also finished second in this in 2001) on looks, but at this stage in their respective careers, he's already at least as good; it's only weeks since he broke his duck in a largely ordinary maiden at Leicester and, given the skill of his connections, he may have still more to offer. CASUAL CONQUEST (IRE)'s fine peformance in the Derrinstown eventually convinced connections to stump up the supplementary fee, and he didn't in any way let them down, simply not quite good enough at this stage of his career, perfectly poised turning in and still every chance over 1f out; a tall, close-coupled colt, who isn't the best of walkers and showed a moderate, quick action on the way to post, he's come a long way in a short space of time and, having had just 3 races, surely has more improvement in him; connections seemed confident he failed for lack of maturity rather than stamina, and, by all accounts, he too could be in the line-up at the Curragh. DOCTOR FREMANTLE recouped his supplementary fee and ran a most creditable race, given every chance the way things unfolded, typically racing freely and leading going well 2½f out only to be mastered easily by the first 2 well over 1f out; some felt his exuberant nature counted against him but, essentially, he was beaten by horses with stronger form/potential, especially as he'd already had a chance to show his worth over the trip; it's worth remembering there's a deal of stamina on the dam's side of his pedigree, and there could be more to come from him if he learns to settle; altogether a most likeable colt, who, as at Chester, looked in superb condition and took the preliminaries well, he's in excellent hands, and there will surely be another good race in him this season. WASHINGTON IRVING (IRE), without ever really looking like winning, emerged the best of Aidan O'Brien's quintet, shaping as though he will prove better suited by further, fourth into the straight and staying on again at the death (slightly hampered 2f out). ALESSANDRO VOLTA improved a little on the bare form of his Lingfield display, ridden differently this time, staying on having had plenty to do after being dropped in from stall one; like his stable companion in fifth, he'll be well suited by further. RIO DE LA PLATA (USA), who typically took the eye beforehand, hardly seemed likely to stay judged on what he'd produced previously, and was beaten almost twice as far by the winner compared to the Dewhurst Stakes last season; however, he travelled strongly for a long way and wasn't subjected to an overly-hard time after getting slightly hampered by that colt over 2f out, and returned to shorter, will soon get back on track. TAJAAWEED (USA), the subject of a pre-race scare, having spread a plate, initially paraded with his fore shoes taped to his hoof (removed when saddled) and, if anything, appearing to walk feelingly (also moved short to post); given that, there has to be a chance he wasn't totally on song, but he ran a good race for a long way nonetheless, tiring 2f out, that perhaps down to a lack of stamina though it should be noted that the bare form of his win at Chester did leave him with something to find to make the frame, let alone win; typical of many by his sire, he has plenty of size about him and, overall, might be the sort to develop further with time and experience. BOUGUEREAU, a tough and useful colt, pretty much ran as well as might have been expected, albeit never threatening, in the process showing that his run in Italy was all wrong. CURTAIN CALL (FR), given that he seemed sure to relish the step up to 12f, was a big disappointment, losing a good early pitch and messed about on a couple of occasions, eventually eased off after 2f out; however, to our eyes, the main reason for his failing to fire was that he completely blew the preliminaries, increasingly warm and on edge, even refusing to relax and drop his bridle when the field slowed to their now traditional walk over the last 3f on the way to the start; we know he's better than this and, hopefully, connections will get him settled before restarting his career, while a more conventional track can only be in his favour. FROZEN FIRE (GER), who took proceedings reasonably calmly (again blanketed for stalls entry), was disappointing, even allowing the track might not have been ideal for one who'd looked less than straightforward at York. KING OF ROME (IRE), chosen by Johnny Murtagh ahead of Aidan O'Brien's other runners, never looked like getting competitive, though on the balance of his form he'd plenty to find. ALAN DEVONSHIRE, who looked well out of his depth, ruined any possible chance by fighting for his head through the early stages. KANDAHAR RUN, sweating profusely between his legs (blanketed for stalls entry), had a deal to find on form and wasn't guaranteed to stay either; he travelled strongly up with the pace until after 3f out, and will be well suited by a return to shorter. BASHKIROV, in as a pacemaker, not surprisingly returned well held. MAIDSTONE MIXTURE (FR), a fair maiden on the Flat (successful over hurdles in May) in France, was a pointless competitor.