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Can’t believe this is now going to run at Epsom.
Whilst I don’t expect all trainers to be as transparent and honest with the media as Paul Nicholls (and respect their right to privacy), I am starting to find Jim Bolger’s approach slightly irksome (and not just with the above horse).
One day the horse isn’t an intended runner, the next it is. If he genuinely doesn’t know whether a particular race is the intended target, he should say so, or say nothing, rather than ruling horses out and then ruling them back in again.
Anyone else have any thoughts?
I dislike a trainer who chops and changes with his horse – more so with one as highly regarded and able as New Approach.
Those who were certainly locked on with a particular Derby runner regardless of who may have popped up will be treated with an improved price.
Ladbrokes are quoting 6/1. It’s a breath of fresh air that New Approach can stretch his legs a little more now.
Like Marble, I am pleased that he will be running (if JB doesn’t change his mind again); as it will add lustre to a Derby I am looking forward to.
I quite fancy his chances as well, think he’ll get the trip no problem, and brings solid Classic form to the table.
Casual Conquest by far the most impressive trial winner though.
Also interested to read a quote in the Telegraph today that Johnny Murtagh doesn’t know which of Ballydoyle’s he’ll ride yet, but that he’d be surprised if they didn’t have three out of the first five home. He also said that King of Rome is the one who’s shown the most improvement, making 25-1 look pretty tasty to me…
I suspect that its the owners who have seen the horses stud value decrease dramatically this year due to it yet to win a race as a three year old.
Coupled with what at first impressions looks like a weak Derby, they have forced Bolgers hand.
However I suspect that this will have been discussed for a while as I don’t for one minute believe that the horse was left in the race by mistake as has been claimed.
I think the decision to run the horse has more to do with owner pressure, rather than any u – turn from Jim Bolger.
As much as I like New Approach, I can not see the colt winning The Derby.
Gambling Only Pays When You're Winning
Surely Bolger could have stated that plans were not finalised for the horse as opposed to saying it was a mistake to leave him in, which effectively translates as "he’s not going to run"
I suspect that its the owners who have seen the horses stud value decrease dramatically this year due to it yet to win a race as a three year old.
His value has been increased surely. He has a middle distance pedigree and yet it`s taken a top class miler to deprive him of two classic victories over a mile.
Marble
He didn’t need to do anything at the previous stage as it was a forfeit – if he didn’t actively take the horse out, it stayed in.
Yesterday was a declaration stage, so he had to keep it in if he wanted it to run.
I doubt if the Sheik had anything to do with it- the man is just plain ignorant and suits only himself. He left his Derby at the Curragh running on the firm ground that Mr Bolger moaned so much about. If he didn’t like it why not take him out and save him for Epsom?
Another big race, another Irish trainer giving punters the run around. It’s becoming a bit of a trend.
The most sordid aspect of all this is that insiders, in the cosy little club privy to the entries, were clearly dipping their bread as the price graph in the Racing Post shows. The BHA, as usual, are facilitating the picking of punters’ pockets. The entries are finalised at 10am but they have a two hour window for insiders to fill their boots before these are announced to the punting public. Shaby isn’t the word.
Honesty, integrity, decency, Jim Bolger couldnt spell them in my opinion. Leaving aside the antepost element for a moment its hard to recall such unsportsmanlike behaviour in recent memory. The disrespect he has shown for one of the worlds great sporting occasions is stunning.
For a man who until last year had trained one Group 1 winner in about 10 years and has had about 20 good horses in his life, he has a fierce big opinion of himself.
When I saw the BF graph I wanted to vomit.
Shame on you Jim Bolger. Victory if achieved will by pyrrhic.
A black week for Irish racing.
Hang on a moment.
This is how I believe Bolger may have thought things out.
New Approach ran last year on good-firm, running well. Although he did subsequantly improve on a softer surface.
But as far as Bolger was concerned New Approach acted on any going.
So there is no way he can see a reason why the horse would run at Epsom, with the Irish Derby as the target.
For whatever reason, may be Sheikh Mohammed insisted all options be open, may be it was a genuine mistake. May be Bolger just wanted to enter him in the Derby just in case he got an injury and could not run in the Irish Guineas.
Anyway, as far as Bolger was concerned, before he ran in the Irish Guineas there was an insignificant chance him running at Epsom.
However, in the Guineas NA ran o.k. but below form. Racing with his head to one side and hanging, as if hating the firm going.
Now the scenario had completely changed.
With NA now thought not capable of his best on a firm surface, the horse needs to race on softer going.
If Bolger sticks to his plan and goes for the Irish Derby it could come up firm again. Where as the English Derby looked likely to be run on softer than good.
So surely the best option for the horse is now the English Derby.I myself do not think Bolger has said much wrong, possibly he should have said "any option is possible but the English Derby is highly unlikely".
Mark
Value Is EverythingBolger has simply been giving the racing public the runaround, a trait which is becoming all too apparent in Irish trainers – Dermot Weld in particular. I don’t think that any blame can be placed at the feet of Sheikh Mohammed, not least because he (well, his wife) has owned the horse since the end of last season.
It was also interesting to note that Orizaba was purchased for a ‘private sum’ by Sheikh Mohammed’s son this afternoon – how long before he’s with Bin Suroor and immediately retired?
If Jim Bolger ends up filling my pockets on Saturday night then I could care very little if he played us all for fools.
Just don’t want to think about the opposite right now.
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