So, just what’s up with Jim’s approach?

I am disappointed with all the stick Irish handler Jim Bolger is receiving over the U-turn on running his stable star, New Approach in Saturday’s Epsom Derby.

So what if he changed his mind? He’s perfectly entitled to. He is, of course, responsible for the training of the horse on a day-to-day basis and not for appeasing the European betting public, as many would lead you to believe.

Horse racing, especially in Britain and Ireland, seems to revolve around betting, and while it is obviously a major factor to keep the industry afloat, quite often trainers come under close scrutiny if they do not keep members of the public informed on the well-being of members of their string for reasons of ante-post betting.

After Bolger’s dual Group One-winning juvenile was beaten on both his starts this season, connections stated that Epsom was off the agenda (hence he was taken out of the list for the race).

However, after seemingly getting over his exertions following the Irish Guineas two weeks ago, his trainer thought that, with ground conditions now in his favour, the top-flight three-year-old could indeed take his place in arguably the most prestigious race in the world, much to the disgruntlement of many ante-post backers.

I couldn’t care less if the animal was sent off at 100-1, it will just be a privilege to witness a great horse at Epsom on Saturday, and a real treat for genuine race fans.

Life in racing stables is very rarely the same two days running, and things can change very quickly, like the weather, and health and fitness of any horse. I thought the master trainer summed it up well. "I live in a changing world and I feel sorry for people who can’t cope with minor changes in life," he said. "After running at the Curragh, he lost no weight and it appears he did not have a hard race."

The jock is back

I was really pleased to watch King Jock prevail by threequarters of a length in a Group Two at San Siro in Italy on Sunday.

Very well travelled, the admirable seven-year-old has been a credit to his owner, local businessman Jim Long.

After starting his career with Dermot Weld in Ireland, he won at the 2005 Dubai Carnival, for Weld and followed up a year later for Nad Al Sheba trainer Erwan Charpy, not to mention two gutsy successes in both the President’s and National Day Cups at Abu Dhabi in 2006 under the care of his current handler, Robbie Osborne.

A gentleman of a horse to ride at home, I remember former Green Stable work rider, Vicky Costa forming quite an allegiance with her morning partner. While "the Jock" probably felt he was running loose each day because of his extra lightweight partner, I’m sure if connections are ever looking for a happy retirement home, Miss Costa, among others, would be willing to offer their services.