New Approach injury worry forces Bolger to make late Irish Derby decision

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The Epsom hero bruised a foot on Friday and trainer Jim Bolger is giving him every chance to recover.

Injury concern: Derby winner New Approach could miss the Irish equivalent

He will not decide until the last possible moment whether to run the hot favourite in today's Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby.

There were signs, though, of an improvement yesterday morning, and Bolger said: 'There is less heat in the foot and we are treating it.'

The favourite drifted to 13-8 with one bookmaker, while another suspended betting until Bolger makes a final decision.

New Approach, a brilliant but quirky colt given to Princess Haya of Jordan by her husband Sheikh Mohammed, needs to be accompanied to the start of his races by a pony.

His owner laid out 150,000 euros last week to supplement the John Gosden-trained Upton Grey into the race as a pacemaker for him.

Before the injury, Bolger had been confident that New Approach would run another big race showing him in his work that he was just as good as he was before Epsom.

The horse was given a ringing endorsement by the legendary Lester Piggott in Ireland last Thursday.

Piggott, who won the Irish Derby five times and is a guest of the racecourse executive today, said: 'You'll need a horse with plenty of stamina to win this race. You wouldn't doubt he'd get the trip after Epsom and I think he's the one to beat.'

Aidan O'Brien runs five in the race, spearheaded by the Derby sixth Alessandro Volta, but Tartan Bearer and Casual Conquest, who chased New Approach over the line at Epsom, again pose the main threats.