There should be few surprises left to seasoned followers of the turf, yet fallout from the stanjamesuk.com 2,000 Guineas at Newmarket on Saturday is sure to raise eyebrows. Each of the two horses separated by a scant nose at the end of the stanjamesuk.com 2,000 Guineas could follow different routes that would appear to better suit the other.

Henrythenavigator, who narrowly resisted New Approach at the end of the Rowley Mile, looked like a professional miler. For his part New Approach, who rallied strongly after he was headed by the winner inside the final furlong, gave the impression that he is crying out for a trip.

Yet while New Approach's connections have already ruled out a tilt at the Derby, that race is so revered by connections of Henrythenavigator that they are contemplating an Epsom bid. And this despite the post-race thoughts of Aidan O'Brien, who trains the son of Kingmambo, and Johnny Murtagh, who rode him with such aplomb.

Both men, now officially in harness at Ballydoyle, highlighted Henrythenavigator's acceleration as his trump card. Yet John Magnier, who heads the Coolmore syndicate, sees the Derby as racing's biggest lure. O'Brien intimated yesterday that the team would now debate whether to aim Henrythenavigator at the race. “It means so much to him [Magnier] that it is almost the be-all and end-all,” O'Brien said yesterday, “so we will sit down and talk about it.”

In that event Henrythenavigator is most unlikely to contest the Irish 2,000 Guineas - which is where New Approach is heading. Hopes of an early rematch between the colts who brought a large crowd to life might well be dashed, and with them the chance of redemption for last year's champion juvenile who gave best only grudgingly on Saturday.

Nevertheless, New Approach's defeat was accepted sportingly by Jim Bolger, who trains the son of Galileo. And there was certainly no evidence of the colt's much-discussed wilful streak even though he took an age to reach the start behind his lead pony, who acompanied him everywhere.

As for Henrythenavigator, confidence in his 2,000 Guineas prospects rose on two fronts throughout last week. In tandem with the drying ground, the bay colt showed increased appetite for his work. Yet O'Brien was concerned about his fitness, which looked far from honed in the paddock beforehand.

Further improvement from Henrythenavigator looks assured. However, while he was too good for the cream of Europe on Saturday, he may not even be the best three-year-old miler at Ballydoyle. Murtagh had been inclined to partner Jupiter Pluvius until that one defected after scoping poorly on Thursday.

Godolphin's campaign began inauspiciously when Ibn Khaldun, who boasted soild juvenile form, was among the first beaten and trailed home in tenth. Raven's Pass fared well enough in fourth, having trailed the field for much of the journey, but he could not overhaul the 100-1 shot, Stubbs Art, for third place and now drops back in distance.