Dawn Approach has a lot riding on 2,000 Guineas

Dubai: Irish training great Jim Bolger, who is tasked with ending Godolphin’s 14-year wait for a third 2,000 Guineas victory with Dawn Approach, a horse that he bred and currently co-owns with the Dubai-owned stable, faces his moment of truth when the 205th renewal of the colt’s Classic takes place at Newmarket racecourse on Saturday.

Unbeaten in six-races as a two-year-old Dawn Approach heads into the 1,600m contest as the popular 6-4 favourite despite not having raced since winning the Dubai Dewhurst Stakes (G1) in October last season and reportedly weighing in heavier than expected.

However Bolger, who also trained Dawn Approach’s sire New Approach to win the 2008 Epsom Derby, was full of confidence and said: “I’m very happy with where he is. He’s on a par with the best I’ve had, though we won’t know for certain until he runs.

“At about 500kg he’s about eight heavier than he was when he won the Dewhurst and he’ll probably give us back two before the Guineas.

“Some experts will tell you they should be the same weight at two as they are at three but I am happy with his development over the winter. Others may catch him up this year, but it won’t be because he hasn’t improved,” he told The Telegraph.

Godolphin last won the Guineas in 1999 with Island Sands, having previously triumphed in 1996 with Mark of Esteem. Both horses were trained by Emirati handler Saeed Bin Surour, who is without a runner in this’s year Classic.

Meanwhile, Irish rider Joseph O’Brien, who booted home last year’s winner Camelot, has warned that Dawn Approach won’t have it easy on Saturday.

O’Brien, who rides Cristoforo Colombo for his trainer and father Aidan O’Brien, believes his horse can improve on his third in the Coventry Stakes at Royal Ascot last season won by Dawn Approach. “The fast ground will help him and I think he will improve for the step up in trip. He ran a massive race in Ascot last year when he was drawn on the wrong side of the track,” the jockey told At The Races.

“I was on my own and the first two were on the stands side so I’m hoping for a good run. He has cheekpieces on as he can be a little bit lazy in his races and they will help him to travel a bit sweeter.

“He’s never had his ground and I think everything is right for him. The nicest ground he had was at Ascot and he was only beaten a length by Dawn Approach. He is stepping up in trip and on better ground, I can see him hopefully make up a little bit of that.”

O’Brien Sr. also saddles Mars, the mount of Seamie Heffernan and George Vancouver, who will be ridden by Colm O’Donoghue.

Commenting on the chances of George Vancouver, who finished third to Dawn Approach in the Dewhurst before winning the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf (G1) at Santa Anita O’Brien Jr. said: “He had a great run in America, he loved the fast ground and got the trip. He’s a horse who relaxes and has a great turn of foot on fast ground. On his run in America, he’d have a massive chance.”

A total 13 horses go to post.

The female equivalent, the 1,000 Guineas, takes place on Sunday with Sir Henry Cecil saddling the favourite Hot Snap, a most impressive winner of the Nell Gwyn Stakes last month.