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History beckons for Dawn Approach at Epsom Downs

The Jim Bolger-trained colt is unbeaten in seven starts. Can he keep it going?

IRISH HORSE Dawn Approach can stamp his credentials as a modern great of the track if he can win today’s Derby at Epsom Downs.

The Jim Bolger-trained colt is unbeaten in seven starts, and the three-year-old is favourite to take out the Derby and emulate the feat of his sire, 2008 winner New Approach. Irish jockey Kevin Manning has been aboard Dawn Approach for all seven of his wins so far, and will again be in the saddle on Saturday.

Questions have been raised over Dawn Approach’s ability to last the distance in the near-2.5km race, although he finished full of running in taking out the 2000 Guineas by five lengths, and many onlookers feel he could thrive under the extra distance.

The rest of the 12-horse field is headlined by Battle of Marengo, trained by Aidan O’Brien, and with the trainer’s son Joseph on board, the big race will be very much a family affair. Ryan Moore, meanwhile, will be riding another Coolmore horse, the fancied Ruler of the World, with the stable having a further three chances in the famous race — Mars, Festive Cheer and Flying The Flag.

The field has been trimmed to 12 after the withdrawals of Dawn Approach’s stablemate Trading Leather, O’Brien’s Magician and the Andrew Oliver-trained First Cornerstone. The continental raiders are headlined by French horse Ocovango, trained by Andre Fabre, and Andreas Wohler’s German stayer Chopin is also in the mix.

There are only three British-trained horses in the field, with Elaine Burke’s Libertarian the best value of the home-grown contingent.

Gift Grub’s Ronan O’Gara chatted with the real ROG this morning

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