THE ENGLISH Derby winner New Approach will attempt to bridge a 28-year gap when he has the third race of his career over Newmarket's famous Rowley Mile course in the Emirates Champion Stakes this afternoon.
Jim Bolger's star landed the Dewhurst on this day last year, and only a short head prevented him winning May's 2,000 Guineas. Since then he has won the Irish Champion Stakes in addition to the Derby, as well as finishing placed on the Newmarket July course in the Juddmonte.
New Approach is almost sure to start favourite today for a race last won by an Irish-trained runner with Cairn Rouge in 1980.
He leads 16 Irish runners at Newmarket today, with Rip Van Winkle also set to start favourite for the Darley Dewhurst Stakes and provide Aidan O'Brien with another victory in a race he won with Rock Of Gibraltar in 2001.
Intense Focus will be Jim Bolger's hope in a race he also won with Teofilo in 2006. Bolger was encouraged by his recent third in the Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere and believes that run sets the standard in this event. "Intense Focus came out of the Longchamp race very well and I'm hopeful he will run up to that form again," said Bolger.
Today's home feature is Cork's Navigation Stakes, which sees prolific Group winner Jumbajukiba concede weight all round. The concession of 8lb to Prince Shaun could prove beyond him, as Pat Flynn's horse ran second to Almass at the Curragh on his last start.
A Group One performer will be on view in the mile maiden as Tuscan Evening has her first start since running behind Lush Lashes in the Coronation Stakes at Royal Ascot. Before that she was controversially disqualified from second to fourth in the Irish 1,000 Guineas, and her 111 rating makes her stand out in today's race if anywhere near her peak.
Dermot Weld's Mr Topaz has three-quarters of a length to find with Agricola on Curragh running behind Vitruvian Man, but could do so in the juvenile maiden.
