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Angus McNae - Saturday 1st June 2013

To stay or not to stay - let’s just keep it simple

There has already been endless talk in the press, on social media outlets, and on television about whether Dawn Approach will stay a mile and a half in the Investec Derby.

No doubt the debate will continue to rage until finally we find out on Saturday afternoon. People like to debate such matters in racing, they seem to like going round and round in endless circles, which could be summed up by the phrase, “if he stays he wins”.

It is miles more refreshing to hear a firm opinion, however, one that cuts through the endless naval-gazing type of debate that the sport seems to have perpetuated for years.

I can't have Dawn Approach.

I know there are those out there who think that surely he is the best of his generation and if he stays he will win.

I think he has got absolutely no chance of staying a mile and a half, despite having Galileo as his grandsire.

He is a miler and Jim Bolger probably knows it. After all he did not enter him in the Derby originally and has entered him in the Sussex Stakes.  

Some might say that this is a poor Derby and that surely the 2,000 Guineas victor can win a modest renewal of the race but you would not be surprised it was Sheikh Mohammed that really wanted to run Dawn Approach at Epsom.

Heart on my sleeve, I think O’Brien will win it and Battle Of Marengo is the call. He will stay and has always been their number one.

Now clearly we can all get things wrong but an opinion firmly expressed, whether right or wrong, is miles better ahead of the Derby than one from somebody who sits firmly on the fence. People like opinions in this great game of ours and are not worried if you are right or not.

After a successful win and place lay of Van Der Neer in the Irish 2,000 Guineas last weekend let’s hope we can repeat the trick. I am laying Dawn Approach all the way.

I am at Epsom to present Mark Your Card on Saturday from 10.00am and am thoroughly looking forward to the project, especially as James Willoughby will be my partner in crime. Make sure you join us for what is a very special day in the calendar for horseracing. Let’s just hope we get some sun.

All the best folks.

Angus's tips:

4.00pm Epsom: Lay Dawn Approach to win

4.00pm Epsom: Lay Dawn Approach to be placed.

4.00pm Epsom: Back Battle of Marengo Each-way at 11-2 William Hill.