Jim Bolger’s charge shows Dexterity at The Curragh
– Verbal Dexterity stretched clear for an impressive success in the Goffs Vincent O'Brien National Stakes at The Curragh yesterday.
Jim Bolger's colt made a huge impression when making a winning debut over the course and distance in June before finding only Beckford too strong in the Railway Stakes.
Having since been narrowly denied in the Phoenix Stakes, Beckford was the 6-4 favourite to go one better and provide Gordon Elliott with a first Group 1 victory on the Flat, but 5-2 chance Verbal Dexterity reversed previous form in some style.
Verbal Dexterity and Aidan O'Brien-trained Rostropovich were both being ridden passing the 400m marker and Beckford looked likely to assert after looming up ominously under Pat Smullen.
But Verbal Dexterity responded generously to Kevin Manning's urgings to stay in the fight and eventually came home with 3.50 lengths in hand.
Bolger was claiming his fourth National Stakes victory following the previous triumphs of Teofilo (2006), New Approach (2007) and Dawn Approach (2012).
Bolger said: "I can see him as being champion European twoyear-old. He's the real deal. He's as good as any of the two-yearolds I've had. He has a marvellous temperament, great looks. He has everything and is the complete package.
"He's as good as any of the ones that have won the Dewhurst for us. Any of those five. I would think he'll go for the Dewhurst next.”
Happily, trained by O'Brien and ridden by Donnacha O'Brien, won the Moyglare Stud Stakes at The Curragh yesterday.
The trainer withdrew likely favourite Clemmie on account of the testing conditions, but still fielded four of the eight runners in this Group 1 contest.
Magical had beaten Happily into second and another Ballydoyle inmate September into fourth place when landing the Debutante Stakes over the course and distance three weeks ago and looked likely to follow up after kicking clear in the hands of Ryan Moore.
However, 13-2 shot Happily found top gear late under the trainer's son Donnacha and got up to score by a short-head.
September rounded off a 1-23 for the trainer, almost four lengths away from the front two.
O’Brien scored his second Group 1 win of the afternoon when favourite Order Of St George annihilated his opposition in the Comer Group International Irish St Leger over 2800m. – Press Association.