Approach wins Derby thriller
New Approach vindicated connections' late decision to run in the Vodafone Derby with a thrilling victory at Epsom.
The Jim Bolger-trained dual Guineas runner-up, sent off at 5-1, did not settle early on and was towards the rear for most of the way under Kevin Manning.
But when he was produced to challenge his class told, and any stamina doubts were dispelled as he ran on strongly to hold the determined effort of Tartan Bearer by half a length, with favourite Casual Conquest third.
Alan Devonshire and Bashkirov were quickly away, but it was the rank outsider Maidstone Mixture who made the running as the field settled down.
Once the latter's moment of glory had gone it was Bashkirov who went on, before Kandahar Run hit the front ahead of Doctor Fremantle as the runners approached Tattenham Corner.
But the pack soon closed in when they straightened up and Tartan Bearer made his bid two furlongs out.
Meanwhile, New Approach had moved up from the rear as Manning switched him sharply from among horses to the far rail.
The race was between New Approach and Tartan Bearer in the final furlong and it was last season's champion two-year-old who stayed on the stronger to land the ultimate prize for owner Princess Haya of Jordan, wife of Sheikh Mohammed.
