Bolger takes relaxed Approach Jim Bolger believes that Dawn Approach's class will help the ante-post favourite see out the trip of the Investec Derby at Epsom next month. The easy winner of the 2000 Guineas is odds-on in places following an inconclusive and underwhelming series of trials despite doubts about whether he has the requisite stamina for a mile and a half. Bolger concurs that those concerns are valid but the experienced handler believes that there's also good reason to think that his colt, whose sire won the Derby, will see out the trip. "If you were to take it [his pedigree] at face value, he probably would not get a mile and a half but because he settles so well and has such a good temperament and has so much class he may well get a mile and a half. But we won't be sure until we try it. "I will leave riding plans to Kevin [Manning] but hopefully there will be plenty of pace. We'd be disappointed if we didn't get pace. After that may the best horse win," he added. The atmosphere at Epsom is a little different to that of Newmarket in April with plenty of people in and around the packed paddock. New Approach was thought to have a slightly suspect temperament and was ponied to the start prior to his victory in the Derby but Bolger doesn't believe that there's any cause for concern with his son. "I think he'll be able to cope with that [the noise] all right. He didn't get very flustered at Newmarket and I don't know what factor you would need to multiply the decibels at Newmarket by to replicate Epsom but I'm sure he'll be able to cope anyway. "I'm very happy with him at the moment and hopefully all will go in the meantime." The unique undulations and cambers of the famous course aren't causing any anxiety in the Bolger camp either and nor is the opposition. "Kevin and I know every blade of grass at Epsom at this stage. We've walked the track in its entirety and we're happy enough about that. "With regards to the competition, I wish them all, I respect them each and every one of them and I would not be losing any sleep over who turns up." Famously tight-lipped about plans, Bolger has shown a keen sense of humour on more than one occasion on his dealings with the press and, although he was again reluctant to reveal plans, it was again evident with the trainer in relaxed mood at the annual Breakfast with the Stars. "For security arrangements, we're not divulging [when he will travel] at this stage, but we do expect him to be there in time for the race," he joked. "I've been following Epsom Derbys since the great Sea-Bird - who happens to be the sire of the fourth-dam of Dawn Approach - so I'm well used to Derbys both as a racegoer and as a trainer, and now as a small-bit owner."
