The Dewhurst....... some race this year!

[NoChanceToDance]

From RP....
by Brian Fleming
.


TWO of the season's star juveniles who seemed set to bypass next Saturday's Darley Dewhurst Stakes are now on course to clash in the Group 1 showpiece despite sharing the same ownership.

Connections of National Stakes winner New Approach and Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere hero Rio De La Plata on Friday gave strong hints that Britain's premier two-year-old contest was back on the agenda despite having previously hinted that the race would be missed.

Speaking onFriday, trainer Jim Bolger pointed the way to Newmarket for New Approach, in whom a 50 per cent share was purchased by Rio De La Plata's owner Sheikh Mohammed prior to the Irish colt's defeat of his Godolphin rival at the Curragh.

Bolger said on Friday: "He is more likely than not going to run in the Dewhurst, as a lot of people would be disappointed if he didn't go there.

"People keep asking me at the races is he going to run in the Dewhurst and should we book our tickets, and a lot of people across the water would be disappointed also if we stayed at home."

The possibility of a rematch between the National Stakes principals appeared to increase on Friday when Godolphin made clear that they are mulling over a Dewhurst bid for Rio De La Plata after initially sounding cautious in the moments following his Longchamp success.

"He's in good form, he's come back from France very well and we'll definitely consider the Dewhurst - that is under strong consideration," said Godolphin racing manager Simon Crisford.

"However, the ground has got to be right for him. If it gets very soft next week we would give that a miss, but the weather forecast is pretty good, so there is a good chance he might turn up."

Looking ahead to next year,Crisford added: "I don't think there is any chance he will go for the Kentucky Derby, and he would have a straightforward Guineas preparation and have his first run back in England in the Guineas."


******************

Wow, only two weeks ago neither horse was going for the Dewhurst, now it looks like both could be running.

Should be a fantastic race, especially with Raven's Pass a likely runner too.

Although some might say that this is the guineas come early, it could ruin the big race next year. These three are the best colts we have seen so far. I rate all three very highly, and although i couldn't predict wihich od the three will come out on top if they all run, i think New Approach has more scope and it will take a very, very good colt to beat him next year in the Guineas.