Herald The Dawn takes his brother's path Herald The Dawn bids to emulate his illustrious brother Dawn Approach in winning the the Group One Goffs Vincent O'Brien National Stakes at the Curragh on Sunday. The Jim Bolger-trained colt won the Group Two Futurity Stakes on his latest start over this course and distance and will try to match Dawn Approach, who won this race in 2011 before taking the Dewhurst and then the 2000 Guineas the following season. Bolger said of the Godolphin-owned runner: "He's very well. Obviously we'd prefer good ground, but he did manage to win in the soft at the Curragh. We'll have to take it whatever way it comes. "He's in very good form and he's a very good two-year-old." Jessica Harrington believes her unbeaten Final Frontier will appreciate the step up in trip. A winner of his maiden over six furlongs, the son of Dream Ahead followed up in the Group Three Anglesey Stakes. He is now upped in trip to seven furlongs for the first time and Pat Smullen will ride. "He's been very good since he won the Group Three and I'm very happy with him. I think he will really appreciate stepping up to seven furlongs," Harrington said. "I don't think the ground will be any problem for him. He is out of a Pivotal mare so you'd imagine he would probably take a bit of a dig in the ground." Richard Fahey saddles Birchwood, the only British raider in the seven-strong line-up and also owned by Godolphin. He has won three times in five starts to date and did not have much luck in running when fifth at Goodwood. "He's in good form - we're happy with him - but he's got to step up another gear." the Malton-based handler said. "It was good to soft last time at Goodwood where he was probably a bit unlucky. "As long as it doesn't get too extreme (the ground) I'll be happy. It's a tough race on Sunday - all the good ones are there." Aidan O'Brien claimed this prize 12 months ago with Gleneagles and is responsible for Air Force Blue, Air Vice Marshal and Painted Cliffs. Air Force Blue won the Phoenix Stakes on his most recent outing and looks the pick of the trio with Joseph O'Brien in the saddle. The son of War Front is the current favourite for next year's 2000 Guineas.
