D Day Looms for Dawn Approach View from connections ahead of the Investec Derby at Epsom on Saturday. Jim Bolger did not need much time in the aftermath of Dawn Approach's emphatic 2000 Guineas performance to confirm the colt bound for the Investec Derby - but whether he can stay an extra half-mile will not be discovered until just after 4pm on Saturday. Now unbeaten in seven starts and a very short-priced favourite for the world-famous Classic, it is of some concern the fastidious Bolger did not see fit to include Dawn Approach among the initial Derby entries. He was only added in April, and while Bolger trained the chestnut's father New Approach to win his first Derby in 2008, his son has a fair amount of speed rather than stamina in his pedigree. Bolger has been in characteristically mischievous form with the press, pronouncing "the only trials that matter were run in (his stable) Coolcullen" after Dawn Approach's stablemate Trading Leather finished second in the Dante Stakes at York. Although admitting this was made slightly in jest, he said: "If you were to take it at face value, he probably would not get a mile and a half but because he settles so well and he has such a good temperament and he 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 be leaving (tactics) to Kevin (Manning, jockey) but hopefully there will be plenty of pace. We need pace to get him to settle early on. We'd be disappointed if we didn't get pace and after that may the best horse win." Asked about whether Dawn Approach would handle the unique atmosphere of Derby Day, Bolger said: "I think he'll be able to cope with it 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'd be able to cope anyway." For as long as he is riding, Joseph O'Brien is likely to face difficult choices in all the big races, given the strength in depth at his father Aidan's Ballydoyle yard. The young jockey has decided to stay loyal to Battle Of Marengo, on whom he is unbeaten in five races, from the five declared O'Brien runners. Despite his still-tender years, O'Brien gained his third Irish 2,000 Guineas success last weekend and is going for his second Epsom Derby after Camelot's win 12 months ago. "I suppose it was a tough choice," said O'Brien, whose mount is coming off victory in Leopardstown's Derrinstown Stud Derby Trial, an often-informative event where Epsom is concerned. "I'd ridden Battle Of Marengo to all his wins last season and in both his trails this year. "I think my dad was quite anxious, and I was too, to keep that partnership intact. "Ryan (Moore) won on Rule Of The World at Chester so it made sense. "I think my horse is solid, he's tough, he tries hard and I think he'll get the trip. If he handles the track he should run a good race. "I wouldn't want any rain, the less rain the better for me."
