Aidan O’Brien has given the Epsom Derby a boost by indicating that his English and Irish 2,000 Guineas winner Henrythenavigator is likely to run in the biggest Classic of the year in just over two weeks time.

The race suffered a minor blow when Jim Bolger announced that Irish 2,000 Guineas favourite, New Approach, would not be running in the 2008 Epsom Derby. Bolger’s decision is somewhat bizarre given that he allowed New Approach to be declared for the Derby and then blasted the Curragh turf in the aftermath of the Irish 2,000 Guineas.

Bolger’s antics aside, New Approach’s withdrawal pales into insignificance given indications that the thoroughbred who beat him with ease at Curragh will be running at Epsom Downs in June.

Aidan O’Brien had initially appeared reluctant to push Henrythenavigator over longer distances, but is reported to have changed his mind after witnessing his runner trounce his opponents in the Irish 2,000 Guineas with room to spare.

Another high-profile thoroughbred looks set to miss out on the action at Epsom Downs, with the Godolphin stud indicating that Ibn Khaldun will skip the Epsom Derby in favour of a run at the Irish Derby alongside co-defector New Approach.

Godolphin have indicated that Rio De La Plata will represent them in the race instead.