EPSOM DERBY: IT SEEMS only right that all eyes will be on New Approach right up until the Derby gates open just after 4.00 this afternoon.
After all, the Irish star and his prickly trainer Jim Bolger have dominated the build-up to the world's most prestigious race for a long time now. But as it has done since 1779 just two and a half minutes around Epsom will decide the ultimate Classic argument.
It's a couple of months since Bolger put the cat among the traditionalist racing pigeons when announcing that the champion juvenile colt, who had been favourite for the Derby all winter, wouldn't even go to Epsom.
Reaction to that bombshell dominated the opening stages of the Flat season to such an extent that even the normally publicity shy Coolmore supremo John Magnier felt compelled to defend the old race's honour by declaring his brilliant double-Guineas winner Henrythenavigator might be aimed at it.
That plan fell through last week when soft ground conditions looked like prevailing, which is ironic considering the Epsom authorities yesterday were considering turning on the water taps. Instead the focus switched to Dermot Weld's unbeaten Casual Conquest who after a long period of "will he-won't he" was finally supplemented into the race.
But even that was trumped for drama by Bolger's incredible U-turn early this week when he decided New Approach would run after all.
The common denominator in all of this is the major pre-race machinations have all come with an Irish flavour, which is reflected in the betting.
Casual Conquest and New Approach look like fighting it out for favouritism this afternoon and then there's the five-strong Aidan O'Brien squad, apparently led by Johnny Murtagh's selection, King Of Rome. Even the shortest priced home contender, Curtain Call, was trained in Ireland, by Jessica Harrington last year.
Certainly the green tinge to Derby 2008 will be maintained even during today's preliminaries with all eyes likely to be focused on New Approach's passage to the start. The colt, whose reputation has lost some sheen due to a pair of Guineas defeats by Henrythenavigator, is again set to be ponied to the start, a move that has already got under the skin of some of Bolger's colleagues.
That won't have bothered the Co Carlow-based trainer a jot and his retort has been: "We will win the race to the start as well!"
Neither Bolger or Weld has won the Derby, while it is six years since Ballydoyle-Coolmore came out on top.
Whatever about the build-up, and the emotive question of where Epsom fits into the Classic pecking order, it's surely no coincidence that everyone bar Henrythenavigator is here and there are plenty who believe his short candidature was a matter of hope over logic.
Whether that guarantees an Irish victory, however, is far from clear. New Approach is a ratings pick but throughout his career he has looked far from a straightforward ride and that, combined with his front running style, is hardly ideal for the demands of Epsom.
Casual Conquest's Derrinstown victory was visually impressive but it can't be ignored that Pat Smullen had to get serious with him coming out of the back straight that day. Tactical speed is all-important here and that's not guaranteed in the Weld runner.
In the circumstances, then, the home team will still fancy their chances, especially with Michael Stoute running three horses. The four-time Derby winner's apparent number one is the Dante hero Tartan Bearer but Stoute used the Chester's Dee Stakes with Kris Kin before winning the 2003 Derby and Tajaaweed impresses as a progressive colt.
Richard Hills is not everyone's favourite jockey but the reality is he only needs a Derby to complete a British classic clean-sweep and he has come close to winning before, especially with Sakhee who was runner-up to Sinndar eight years ago. In the circumstances then, his opinion that Tajaaweed is his best ever chance of winning the Derby may look prophetic come 4.00 today.
Meanwhile, Ralph Beckett got on the Group One roll of honour in the best possible fashion with a Classic success courtesy of 33 to 1 outsider Look Here in yesterday's Juddmonte Oaks. The filly surged clear down the outside of the field passing the two-furlong marker and the result was never in doubt with Seb Sanders' mount sailing past the post with three and three-quarter lengths in hand.
Moonstone came from even further back with her challenge to take second, with Katiyra overcoming her inexperience to reward each-way support in third.
Aidan O'Brien, who earlier landed the Group One Coronation Cup with Soldier Of Fortune, said of Moonstone:
"I'd be lying if I was to give you an accurate reflection of how they have all run right now, but I can tell you the second filly has run a great race."
John Oxx said of Katiyra: "She ran well. She was impeded a little bit coming down the hill when she was caught up in traffic. She stumbled crossing the road, which maybe cost her second."
