Dawn Approach storms to QIPCO 2000 Guineas victory

Dawn Approach wins the QIPCO 2000 Guineas with Kevin Manning in the saddle. Image courtesy of racingfotos.com.

The similarities with Frankel cannot be ignored as Dawn Approach destroyed his rivals in the QIPCO 2000 Guineas on Newmarket’s Rowley Mile this afternoon.

Both were unbeaten as they went into the QIPCO 2000 Guineas, Frankel in 2011 and Dawn Approach today. And both emerged as deeply impressive winners.

Frankel made all the running two years ago, but Dawn Approach bided his time as the pacemakers blazed away.

When jockey Kevin Manning made his move, however, the result was never in doubt.

Dawn Approach, who started the 11-8 favourite, took off and powered clear for a five length success, only a length short of Frankel’s winning margin.

One of the complete outsiders, Glory Awaits at 150-1, came second, dramatically improving with first time blinkers, with the Richard Hannon second string, Van Der Neer, in third.

Second-favourite Toronado finished a disappointing fourth, with two of Aidan O’Brien’s trio, Cristoforo Colombo and Mars, in fifth and sixth.

A delighted Bolger, who had the agony of defeat in this race five years ago when Dawn Approach’s sire, New Approach, went down by a nose to Henrythenavigator, said: "He was very impressive, we’re very happy with him and he galloped right to the line.

"I don’t know about the Derby, Sheikh Mohammed and myself said we would sleep on it and take it from there.

"If he wants to go, I’d be very happy to. We have to see how he comes out of this but he’s hardy and I’m sure he’ll be fine.

"I’m sure he can only improve from here as that’s his first time on a racecourse this year."

If he does go to Epsom for the Investec Derby on Saturday 1 June, he will be following in the footsteps of New Approach who, having failed so narrowly in the Guineas, took the Derby and later in the season the Champion Stakes.