/ Tony Calvin / 05 June 2008 /

But stamina doubts remain about Bolger horse

The fact that Timeform have New Approach 5lb clear in their Derby ratings must be music to the ears of Betfair punters who have secured odds of up to [210.0] about the Jim Bolger colt for Saturday's Classic.

But the undoubted smugness of those with fancy odds about the dual Guineas runner-up - exactly £8,897 has been matched on the colt on Betfair at odds of [26.0] and bigger - should be tempered somewhat by stamina doubts, according to the Halifax-based ratings organisation.
However, there should be no such worries for the Betfair punter who has £2.50 on Casual Conquest at Betfair's ceiling price of [1000.0].

Timeform spokesman Kieran Packman commented: "New Approach is top-rated on the evidence of his Dewhurst win and his English Guineas second.

"But he ran below that level at the Curragh last time and it remains to be proven if he can hit such heights stepping up four furlongs in trip. His stamina is not guaranteed at the longer distance, despite encouragement from his pedigree, as his free-going racing style does not lend itself well to such a distance.

"The other market principals are quite closely-knit in ratings terms and most are open to improvement, although Casual Conquest has had just the two starts, yet has already recorded a rating which exceeds any other contender, so he has to be the biggest danger to New Approach."

Timeform Derby ratings
Alan Devonshire 115
Alessandro Volta 125p
Bashkirov 100
Bouguereau 123
Bronze Cannon 128p
Casual Conquest 134p
Curtain Call 130p
Doctor Fremantle 128p
Feared In Flight 123
Frozen Fire 132p
Kandahar Run 120p
King of Rome 122
Maidstone Mixture 86
Montmartre 109p
New Approach 139
Rio de La Plata 132
River Proud 130
Tajaaweed 128p
Tartan Bearer 133p
Washington Irving 120p

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