Bolger’s colt to deny O’Brien record victory

LITTLE DUNMOW, a small village in rural Essex with a population of less than 300, is the original home of the Flitch Trials which now take place in the larger nearby town of Great Dunmow.

I’m not quite sure how it works nowadays, but back in the 12th century the trial was for married couples to live without any quarrel whatsoever for a full year and a day. The prize was a slab, or flitch, of bacon and a jury would decide, after spending time with the couple at a day-long family event, whether they were worthy enough to ‘bring home the bacon’.

I was reading up on the trials recently and apparently, there were only eight winners in 500 years, although, if it were up to me, I’d give a prize to any couple that lasted a week.

The phrase, of course, has evolved to mean success, often monetary, in a particular endeavour and Aidan O’Brien has certainly brought home the bacon this year as we reach the final British Group One of the season. MAESTRO The maestro of Ballydoyle is now level with the late American trainer Bobby Frankel, who set the record for the most top-level Group or Graded wins in a year at 25 in 2003.

You’ll always hear the odd comment saying it’s easy to win big races when you have the money and the firepower, but O’Brien is truly a genius at what he does. His attention to detail is sometimes mind-blowing and, as a sport-loving nation, Ireland should be incredibly proud of O’Brien and what he’s achieved in the sport both here and abroad.

Understandably, he’s got a few entries in this afternoon’s Racing Post Trophy at Doncaster (3.25), including Saxon Warrior, expected to go off as favourite around 6/4.

Last seen when winning the Beresford Stakes, he comes here with solid claims and the form of that race has worked out well producing a couple of subsequent winners.

However, I think punters are looking to be part of the recordbreaking story by backing Saxon Warrior a little too heavily and there’s not much value left.

If you are looking for an O’Brien horse, The Pentagon, which is also prominent in the 2018 Derby market, looks better value and his latest Group Three victory from Leopardstown gives the impression he’s got more to come.

He’s most likely improved at home since then but, as much as I’d like to see the record broken today, I’m siding with Jim Bolger’s

Verbal Dexterity, expected to go off around 7/2.

I’m keeping an eye on the weather but if it comes up soft, I’ll be increasing my stake on the son of Vocalised, which reversed the form with Beckford in the Railway Stakes to win the Group One National Stakes at the Curragh.

Admittedly, it wasn’t the strongest renewal with Gustav Klimt a late withdrawal, but he loved the step back up in distance to seven furlongs and I’m guessing the mile trip will see an even bigger improvement.

At Newbury, Best Solution might be the one to side with in the Group Three Worthington’s ‘Indigo Leisure’ Stakes (2.15) at 6/1. He ran poorly in a German Group One last time but was runner-up in a similar race previously, and won the Derby Trial at Lingfield in May.

While we still have the November Handicap to look forward to before the Flat season finishes, the jumping game continues to get into swing and I quite like Cobra De Mai in the Randox Health Handicap Chase at Cheltenham (3.10) at 7/1.

Dan Skelton’s gelding was hampered several times in a novice race at Sedgefield last time but found plenty to win at 9/1.