EPSOM, England (AP):

AT THE start of the week, New Approach wasn't even going to be at the English Derby. Yesterday, Kevin Manning rode him to victory by half a length.

The Jim Bolger-trained colt pushed ahead in the final furlong to storm past Tartan Bearer (6-1) over the line. Casual Conquest, the pre-race favourite, was four and a half lengths behind in third.

Watched by Britain's Queen Elizabeth II, 5-1 shot New Approach came from the rear to win his and Bolger's first English classic.

"He has got a serious, serious engine," Manning said. "He took a bit of a tug early on and got further back than I would have liked, but coming down the hill I had loads of horse and just hoped the gaps would come.

"He's just very, very classy."

Angering punters

Bolger initially said the two-year-old horse would skip the English classic to focus on Irish classics on home soil only to reverse the decision on Monday - angering punters who had already bet on other horses.

"It was the biggest mistake I have made in a long time, but it was fortuitous and it has worked out for the best," the Irish trainer said.