Former Vodafone Derby favourite New Approach looks set to take his chance at Epsom on Saturday after all.
Connections have been heartened by current ground conditions and how the colt has come out of the Irish 2000 Guineas nine days ago when he was second to Henrythenavigator.
Trainer Jim Bolger had indicated at a media event in April that he was le
aning away from the Derby for last season's champion two-year-old.
However, he remains among a field of 18 at the confirmation stage and is set to line-up as long as the ground gets no quicker than good.
John Ferguson, bloodstock advisor to Sheikh Mohammed, whose wife Princess Haya of Jordan owns the horse said: "I received a phone call from Jim Bolger saying that New Approach was in exceptional form and had come out of the Irish 2000 Guineas really well.
"He recommended that if the ground was suitable that the horse take his chance in the Derby.
"I passed the message on to Sheikh Mohammed who agrees that as long as the horse is 100 per cent and the ground is suitable the horse will run. It's very exciting.''
Epsom clerk of the course Andrew Cooper was happy that New Approach was among the acceptors.
"I am delighted to see New Approach in there. For the first time in the entry system Mr Bolger has physically had to state that he is leaving the horse in,'' said Cooper.
"I know it's not the final declaration stage but we are delighted nevertheless.
"We've got three supplementary entries which is excellent and we are in for a tantalising race.''
Cooper described the going as good to soft and although Monday started dry, rain was expected later and overnight.
"The forecast for rain ranges from six millimetres to up to an inch.
We'll just have to see what comes,'' he added.
New Approach is a 6-1 chance with Ladbrokes and 7s with Betfair, who report some extraordinary trading with one punter having £27.50 at odds of 209-1.
Chester Vase winner Doctor Fremantle, trained by Sir Michael Stoute, and French 2000 Guineas third River Proud from Paul Cole's stable join Dermot Weld's Casual Conquest as supplementary entries.
Tax Free completed back-to-back victories in the Coolmore Choisir Naas Sprint Stakes, but had to survive a stewards' inquiry.
The David Nicholls-trained six-year-old, ridden by his son Adrian, held the Brian Meehan-trained Day By Day by a length and three-quarters for a British one-two.
Racegoers attending The 'Go Racing in Yorkshire' Summer Festival next month – starting at Ripon on Saturday, July 19 and ending at Pontefract on Sunday, July 27 – will have the chance to win a luxury trip for two to Ireland in a special racecard competition held throughout the Festival.
The big prize takes in a visit to Fairyhouse racecourse (one of Ireland's top racing venues) and a two-night stay in a top Dublin hotel, with all transfers included. This is courtesy of Ripon Travel and Mercedes-Benz, who have embraced this first-ever Festival which showcases all that is good about racing in the county of Yorkshire.
The winning entry will be drawn on the final day of the Festival at Pontefract, from all of the entries made during the Festival.
TODAY'S BESTDUKE'S DOUBLEKrisnando (8.50 Folkestone), nap and High Curragh (3.30 Ripon).
DUKE'S TREBLEKrisnando, High Curragh and Willie Pep (6.35 Sedgefield).
JULIUS'S DOUBLESeptember Moon (8.35 Sedgefield), nap and Willie Pep (6.35 Sedgefield).
FORMNAPSeptember Moon (8.35 Sedgefield).
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