Handicappers take cautious approach

NEW Approach has been rated 3lb higher than his former stablemate and last year’s top European two-year-old Teofilo on account of his victory in a better-quality renewal of the Dewhurst Stakes.

Trainer Jim Bolger’s remarkable achievement of producing the leading juvenile in consecutive seasons has slightly eased the blow of Teofilo never making a Classic campaign because of injury.

New Approach has been awarded a rating of 126 in the official European rankings but is still only 1lb ahead of Dewhurst runner-up Fast Company, who made up a vast amount of ground at Newmarket and has subsequently moved from Brian Meehan to Godolphin.