Plans remain fluid for Approach
The 2000 Guineas winner lost his unbeaten record in the premier Classic when he came home last, having refused to settle from the outset.
Godolphin’s colt has already been ruled out of the St James’s Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot, but still holds entries in races like the Irish Derby at the Curragh and the Sussex Stakes at Goodwood.
When asked about future plans, trainer Jim Bolger said: “We’ll play it by ear. It was only a slight concern how he came out of the race, but he’s very well.”
The Coolcullen handler will still send a strong team to Ascot.
He said: “Rehn’s Nest will definitely go for the Coronation Stakes. We’ll Go Walking is a possible for the Ribblesdale, and Heart Focus will probably go for the Albany. Tobann will go for the Sandringham.”
Stablemate Saburo, who was so impressive on his debut at the Curragh in March, is sidelined for a few months. He said: “Saburo suffered a bit of a setback and will be off until August or September.
“It’s nothing serious, but we want to give him a bit of time.”
Meanwhile Michael Winters will consider plenty of options at next month’s Galway Festival for Missunited following her fine effort at Leopardstown.
The six-year-old was the only horse to trouble Pale Mimosa when bustling up the Dermot Weld-trained winner in the Saval Beg Stakes on Friday. The County Cork trainer will now consider at least three races – two on the Flat and the Guinness Galway Handicap Hurdle, which he won last summer with Rebel Fitz – for Missunited.
“She’s spot-on and is in great order. Seamie Heffernan (jockey) said she’s improving every day and they did a marvellous job with the track,” said Winters.
“She’ll run in Galway, maybe in the Guinness Hurdle, but there are a couple of other options for her there during the week as well.
“She’s had three races in quick succession now, so we know she can take her racing well. She is very versatile and goes on any ground.
“There’s an amateur riders’ Flat race and another one we could look at for her as well. There are two Flat options for her, as far as I know.
“We will also give her an entry in the Guinness Hurdle we won last year with Rebel Fitz, but it is not definite she would go for that.”
David Marnane is looking forward to Jamesie having another crack at the Buckingham Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot. The Kodiac gelding beat everything bar Eton Forever in the seven-furlong handicap last summer and that race is again the target though he also has an entry in the Wokingham. Jamesie has already paid a visit to the Berkshire venue this season when finishing a respectable seventh to Excellent Guest in the Victoria Cup last month. He has since taken in a mile handicap at the Curragh.
“Jamesie will go for the Buckingham Palace. I don’t think he’ll get in the Wokingham,” said Marnane.
“He was second last year and beat his own side well but didn’t see Eton Forever. Jamesie is well up to it.
“He ran well in the Victoria Cup but missed the kick. His last run was over a mile at the Curragh and that was not quite his cup of tea. He ran OK, but ran a bit too free.
“Fingers crossed he can step up a bit in Ascot.”
