Dawn Approach Vs. Mars?

Juvenile Showdown - Dawn Approach could take on Mars in less than two weeks

Two of the most exciting two-year-olds in training could square off against each other at the Curragh on 25th August, in what would be a battle of the top two in the betting for both next year’s 2000 Guineas and next year’s Derby.

Jim Bolger’s unbeaten Dawn Approach is currently heading the market for the 2013 2000 Guineas, whilst Aidan O’Brien’s Mars was ante-post favourite for the Derby with several bookies even before his first race; he duly justified those sentiments when he bolted up at Dundalk last month however.

Dawn Approach missed Sunday’s Phoenix Stakes due to the ground and Bolger has highlighted the Galileo European Breeders Fund Futurity Stakes in just under two weeks as the Coventry winner’s likely new next target in what would be his first run since being bought by Godolphin.

Dawn Approach’s sire New Approach won the race in 2007 and the seven furlong trip should be right up Dawn Approach’s street. Aidan O’Brien also has a good record in the race however, having won it on multiple occasions and Mars could not have been more impressive on his debut.

Mars’ participation is probably more up in the air than Dawn Approach’s but according to At The Races O’Brien has indicated that Mars may run, which would serve up a mouth-watering clash between two of the most talked about two-year-olds on both sides of the Irish Sea.

August bank holiday weekend is already looking like being a fantastic Racing weekend as always because in addition to this potential clash of the star juveniles on Saturday 25th we will also have the Ebor at York.

2013 Classic Ante-Post Prices:

2000 Guineas:

Dawn Approach 10/1

Mars 16/1

The Derby:

Mars 10/1

Dawn Approach 20/1