Verbal jousting at Doncaster
JIM BOLGER can spoil Aidan O’Brien’s party at Doncaster tomorrow by saddling Verbal Dexterity to win the Racing Post Trophy.
O’Brien fields four in the mile heat as he chases a record 26th top-level success of the year and while both Saxon Warrior and The Pentagon are well fancied, it is Bolger’s colt who brings Group One form to the table.
Verbal Dexterity was forced to miss his intended run in the Dewhurst earlier in the month due a minor setback, but Bolger has been very upbeat in his reports over the last few days and his confidence should prove well placed.
A nine-and-a-half-length winner of a Curragh maiden in June, the Vocalised colt then had to settle for second behind Beckford in the Railway Stakes before comprehensively reversing that form in the National Stakes.
Verbal Dexterity seemingly improved for the step up to seven furlongs that day and given the way he stayed on in pretty deep ground, a mile would appear to hold few fears for him.
Bolger ranks this colt as one of the best juveniles he has trained, which is high praise indeed, and Verbal Dexterity can live up to that billing.
There are also juvenile Group-race honours on offer at Newbury and Vintager can spring a minor surprise in the Bathwick Tyres Stakes, better known as the Horris Hill.
David Menuisier’s charge really caught the eye with a cosy success on his debut at Newmarket in August, with six of those that finished in behind going on to score subsequently and give the form some real substance.
Vintager himself was then stepped up to Group Three class for the Solario Stakes at Sandown last month, but his high draw did not work in his favour and he paid for his efforts in trying to get on terms with a couple of furlongs to run.
He was not beaten that far in fifth and Vintager still looks a decent prospect, particularly when there is a bit of cut in the ground.
Best Solution can trump his betterfancied Godolphin stablemate Frontiersman in the Worthington’s ‘Indigo Leisure’ Stakes, aka the St Simon Stakes.
The conditions of the race give him a distinct advantage at the weights and while he has been falling short in Group One company on the continent, he can make the most of a drop in class. (39) Owen Burrows 9-1 (D) .................. J Crowley (21) H Palmer 9-1 ................. R L Moore (21) C Hills 9-1 (D2) ............................... W Buick (50) M Botti 9-1 (D) .................. A Atzeni (14)TEasterby9-1(D2) ............................... DAllan (66) J Bethell 9-1 (D) ............ Oisin Murphy (14) M Johnston 8-13 (D) ............... F Norton (15) M Channon 8-10 (D) ........................... R P Whelan (15) J P Murtagh (IRE) 8-10 ....... B A Curtis (14) R C Guest 8-10 ............. P Hanagan BETTING: 10-3 Mutaaqeb, 7-2 Rebel Assault, 4 Never Back Down, 6 Staxton, 8 Speak In Colours, 10 Neola, Red Roman, 16 Ulshaw Bridge, 20 Others.
3-1fav Dwelt towards rear, headway approaching final 2f, effort to chase leader entering final furlong, pushed along and ran on to lead near finish, won at Yarmouth 6f 2yo nov stk (4) sft in Sep beating Rule Of Honour by nk, 12 ran. 25-1 Made all, ridden and pressed over 1f out, held on well towards finish, won at York 6f 2yo lst stk (1) gd beating It Dont Come Easy by 1 1/4l, 11 ran. 10-1 Led until over 1f out, no extra closing stages, 6th of 23, 4l behind Darkanna at Redcar 6f Lstd auc stks (1) gs. 11-2 Mid-division, headway 2f out, kept on inside final furlong, 3rd of 11, 2l behind Rebel Assault at York 6f 2yo lst stk (1) gd.
9-4fav Held up in touch, driven and headway to lead over 1f out, ridden inside final furlong, kept on, won at Ascot 6f nov auc stks 2yo (4) sft in Sep beating Lady Dancealot by 1 1/2l, 8 ran. 20-1 Towards rear, pushed along 2f out, never on terms, 10th of 12, 4 1/2l behind Abel Handy at Newmarket 5f 2yo Grp 3 (1) gd. 10-1 Chased leaders, effort over 2f out, every chance well over 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong, 4th of 23, 3l behind Darkanna at Redcar 6f Lstd auc stks (1) gs. 14-1 Chased leaders, driven 3f out, lost place over 1f out, 10th of 11, 20l behind Wells Farhh Go at York 7f 2yo Grp 3 (1) gs in Aug. (15) R Fahey 9-7 ............................ Adam J McNamara (3) 137 (31) C Appleby 9-5 (D) ................................ W Buick 87 (36) R Hannon 9-1 (D) ................................. R L Moore 133 (14) K Ryan 8-12 (D) ...................... T Eaves 114 (19) K McLintock 8-10 ....................................... G Lee 76 (21) J Bethell 8-8 .............................. Oisin Murphy 89 (7) K Dalgleish 8-7 (D) ................... A Mullen 122 (28) T Easterby 8-4 (D)Rachel Richardson (3) 118 BETTING: 2 Al Hajar, 4 Rogue, 9-2 Mont Kinabalu, 6 Zap, 7 Big Les, 14 Lady Anjorica, Wensley, 20 Bee Ina Bonnet.
4-11fav Close up, led over 4f out, clear over 1f out, kept on well, won at Redcar 7f 2yo mdn (4) gs in Sep beating Mametz Wood by 7l, 9 ran. 15-2 Chased leaders, ridden to lead 1f out, strongly pressed close home, held on gamely, all out, won at Newbury 7f 2yo hcp 0-95 (3) gd in Sep beating Red Roman by shd, 7 ran. 6-1 Prominent, ridden over 1f out, soon led, held on well towards finish, won at York 7f 2yo nov stk (3) gd beating Chief Justice by 1/2l, 12 ran. 12-1 Mid-division, ridden over 1f out, kept well inside final furlong, 6th of 17, 6l behind Beatbox Rhythm at York 6f 2yo hcp 0-95 (3) gd. 6-1 Chased leader, ridden to lead inside final furlong, ran on well, won at Pontefract 6f 2yo hcp 0-85 (4) sft beating Camacho Chief by 1l, 6 ran. 17-2 In touch, headway over 2f out, ridden and ran on to lead close home, won at Catterick 7f 2yo fll nov stks (4) sft beating Lady Willpower by 3/4l, 12 ran. 25-1 Raced stands side, mid-division, driven halfway, weakened over 2f out, 17th of 28, 9l behind Elysium Dream at Newmarket 6f 2yo auc (2) gd. 25-1 Took keen hold, chased leaders, weakened over 2f out, 11th of 13, 12l behind Awesometank at Newmarket 7f 2yo fll hcp (2) gs in Sep. (43) R Beckett 4 9-12 (D) ...... Oisin Murphy (105) A King 4 9-12 ........................... R L Moore (30)CFellowes59-11 ......................... SDonohoe (35) Mrs H Main 6 9-9 ........................ G Mosse (35) T Easterby 5 9-8 (D3) ..................... D Allan (126) M Johnston 4 9-5 (BF) ........ F Norton (15) D F Davis 5 9-1 ...................... G Wood (3) (9) I Williams 3 8-11 ............................... J Crowley (19) S Crisford 3 8-10 (BF) ............ A Atzeni BETTING: 11-4 Reshoun, 4 Lawless Secret, 5 Burguillos, 6 Rainbow Rebel, 7 Mukhayyam, 10 Ooty Hill, 12 Lustrous Light, 14 Jelly Monger, 20 First Flight.
7-2 Held up in rear, headway over 2f out, soon ridden, stayed on to chase front pair inside final furlong, held towards finish, 3rd of 13, 1 3/4l behind Pioneertown at Newcastle 1m 4f hcp 0-85 (4).
7-2fav Tracked leaders, ridden 3f out, chance from over 1f out, no quicken final 100 yards, 3rd of 9, 2 1/4l behind Solar Cross at Windsor 1m 3f hcp 0-90 (3) gs. 9-2 Mid-division on outer, headway over 5f out, outpaced 2f out, weakened final furlong, last of 11, 13l behind Laraaib at Ascot 1m 2f hcp 0-95 (3) gd in Jul. 5-2fav Led, ridden and headed 2f out, still upsides just over 1f out, no extra well inside final furlong, 5th of 7, 3l behind Speed Company at Ayr 1m 2f hcp 0-95 (3) gd in Jun.
17-2 Led, headed over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, no extra, 3rd of 8, 4l behind Mr Sundowner at Catterick 1m 4f hcp (2) gs in Sep. 20-1 Tracked leaders, raced freely, ridden over 2f out, one pace and beaten in 4th over 1f out, 4th of 8, 10l behind Torcello at Newmarket 1m 4f hcp 0-100 (2) gs in Sep. 12-1 Held up in rear of chasing group, headway over 1f out, never on terms, 3rd of 6, 6l behind On To Victory at Salisbury 1m 6f cond Stakes (2) sft in Sep. .......................... ........................................................... Kerrie Raybould (7) ......... C Lee ................ ...................................................................... William Cox (5) (106) R Charlton 3 9-3 (D) ................. P Pilley (3) (39) T Dascombe 3 9-3 .............. Jane Elliott (3) (18) D O’Meara 3 9-3 (D) .............. Josh Doyle (59) T Coyle 5 9-3 (D) ............................. C Shepherd (18) R Hughes 3 9-3 ....................... Finley Marsh (5) (31) D Loughnane 4 9-2 (CD) .................. E J Walsh (135) S Bowring 5 9-2 (D2) ............. P Bradley (3) (106) Sarah Hollinshead 4 9-2 (BF, CD2) ...... .................................................................. Ben Robinson (3) ....... Aaron Jones ................ Joshua Bryan (3) BETTING: 3 Nutini, 4 Rapid Ranger, 8 First Excel, Zavikon, 10 Santafiora, 12 Indian Affair, Conqueress, Round The Island, Maureb, 14 Others. (19) R J Smith 3 9-2 ............ P Bradley (5) (7) M Appleby 3 9-2 ......................... A Rawlinson (10) J Tuite 3 9-2 ................... L Morris (10) R Guest 3 9-2 ............ T Queally (6) T Coyle 4 9-2 .................... B McHugh (18)SBowring49-2(D) ................... RWinston (10) G Margarson 3 9-2 (D) ........ Jane Elliott (5) (18) N Wilson 3 9-2 (D) ........... P Mathers (19) G Baker 3 9-2 ................ H Crouch (3) (173) D Shaw 4 9-2 .................... T Eaves (3) B Barr 3 9-2 ....... Joshua Bryan (5) BETTING: 7-2 Dontforgettocall, 9-2 Miss Rosina, 6 Emilysbutterscotch, 13-2 Mr Enthusiastic, 8 Toolatetodelegate, Men United, Excellent World, 12 Spitfire Limited, 16 Others. (44) B Smart 9-1 .................................. G Lee (49) M Meade 9-1 (D2) ............................... A Atzeni (29) A P O’Brien (IRE) 9-1 (BF) ..... W M Lordan (37) Sir M Stoute 9-1 (D) ................................ J Crowley (13) C Appleby 9-1 ......................................... W Buick (17) D Elsworth 9-1 (D) ............. P Mulrennan (28) J Gosden 9-1 (D3) ............. Oisin Murphy (34) A P O’Brien (IRE) 9-1 (D2) ...R L Moore (14) A P O’Brien (IRE) 9-1 (C) ................. D O’Brien (14) J S Bolger (IRE) 9-1 (D) ................ R P Whelan (93) A P O’Brien (IRE) 9-1 ....... J A Heffernan (48) J S Bolger (IRE) 9-1 .... K J Manning BETTING: 7-4 Saxon Warrior, 7-2 Verbal Dexterity, 4 The Pentagon, 7 Roaring Lion, 10 Seahenge, 12 Chilean, Loxley, 25 Gabr, 66 Others.
5-6fav Tracked leader, travelling smoothly straight, on terms from 2f out, led 1 1/2f out, soon asserted and stayed on well, won at Naas 1m 2yo Grp 2 (1) sft in Sep beating Delano Roosevelt by 2 1/2l, 5 ran. 5-2 Led early, close up, on terms halfway, soon led, joined 2f out, led again inside final furlong and stayed on best to quickly assert, won at Curragh 7f 2yo Grp 1 (1) in Sep beating Beckford by 3 1/2l, 7 ran.
4-11fav Soon raced in 3rd, pushed along into straight, wandered slightly under 2f out, 2nd 1f out, led inside final furlong, stayed on well, won at Leopardstown 7f 2yo Grp 3 (1) gd in Jul beating Theobald by 1 3/4l, 6 ran.
11-4 Tracked leaders, went 2nd 2f out, led over 1f out, ridden and hung badly left inside final furlong, just held on, won at Newmarket 1m 2yo Grp 2 (1) gs in Sep beating Nelson by nk, 5 ran. 9-1 Steadied start, in rear, ridden over 1f out, stayed on final furlong to go 3rd near finish, 3rd of 9, 5l behind U S Navy Flag at Newmarket 7f 2yo Grp 1 (1) gd. BARNABY BROOK (32) T Dascombe 7 9-7 (CD2) ..R Kingscote CHELWOOD GATE (49) C Dore 7 9-7 ........................... D Nolan MAKHFAR (67) M Usher 6 9-7 (CD) .................. C Shepherd (3) CAT ROYALE (32) J Butler 4 9-6 (CD) ................... Danny Brock MARBOOH (22) Miss Amy Murphy 4 9-6 ................... T Queally KNOW YOUR NAME (43) D McCain 6 9-5 (CD2) ........... T Eaves OREGON GIFT (45) B Ellison 5 9-4 ............... Ben Robinson (5) FINTECH (18) Mrs I G-Leveque 3 9-3 ..................... A Beschizza TAILOR’S ROW (11) M Johnston 3 9-3 ..................... A Mullen PERFECT SPY (42) L Cumani 3 9-3 ............................. L Morris LIL SOPHELLA (8) P Holmes 8 9-2 ........................... J Garritty BAYSTON HILL (18) M Usher 3 9-2 ........................ D Muscutt ISLAND FLAME (8)RFahey49-2 .......................... RWinston BETTING: 5 Barnaby Brook, 6 Marbooh, 7 Perfect Spy, 8 Oregon Gift, Know Your Name, 10 Bayston Hill, Cat Royale, 12 Makhfar, Tailor’s Row, Island Flame, Chelwood Gate, 14 Others.
9-2 Mid-division, ridden and weakened over 1f out, 6th of 13, 5l behind Scoones at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp (6) pol in Sep. 8-1 Tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, no extra inside final furlong, 6th of 10, 4 1/2l behind Beepeecee at Chelmsford City 1m hcp (6) pol. 5-1 Raced keenly, tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, soon lost place, weakened over 1f out, last of 6, 16l behind Hermosa Vaquera at Lingfield 1m 4f fll hcp (5) sft in Sep. (3) P Hiatt 4 9-12 (C) .................................. L Morris (74) A L Forbes 7 9-6 ........................ Toby Eley (7) (5) J Flint 6 9-6 (BF, D2) ................ William Cox (7) (6) Jennie Candlish 5 9-6 (CD2) ...T Queally (11) B J Llewellyn 4 9-6 .............................. D Probert (112) Laura Morgan 9 9-5 ............. S W Kelly (4) B Ellison 4 9-4 (BF).. B Robinson (5) B Leavy 10 9-4 ..................................... Jane Elliott (5) PGundry89-4(CD) ............................. RWinston (58) K Wingrove 9 9-2 .................... C Shepherd (3) T R Gretton 4 9-2 ............................... D Costello (36) J Norton 9 9-2 (CD3) ............ A Beschizza BETTING: 3 Raashdy, 7-2 Angel In The Snow, 6 Moojaned, 13-2 Star Ascending, 10 Kaisan, 12 Ted’s Brother, Flying Power, 14 Akula, Sir Dylan, 25 Others. ....................................... L Morris ............... B A Curtis SDixon9-2 ............................................. KO’Neill (19) J Fanshawe 9-2 ..................... T Queally (37) D O’Meara 9-2 .................................... S James (19) D M Simcock 9-2 ............. J P Spencer (8) Mrs A Duffield 9-2 ............ D Costello (24) D Kubler 8-11 .......................... G Downing (26) W Knight 8-11 ................. Martin Harley BETTING: 5-2 Society Prince, 3 Midsummer Knight, 7-2 Walk On Walter, 4 Mraseel, 12 Fanfare Lady, 16 Chizz De Biz, 25 Samovar, 33 Twelve A, 50 Watching Spirits. CARNIVAL KING (23)MissAmyMurphy59-7(D2)...MHarley SPINNAKA (9) L Cumani 3 9-5 (BF, D) ......................... L Morris MURDANOVA (15) D P Quinn 4 9-4 (CD) ............. C Bennett (3) STEAL THE SCENE (17) Kevin Frost 5 9-4 (D2) ......... D Costello DARING GUEST (19) G Margarson 3 9-2 (BF, D2) .... J Elliott (5) LOGI (35) R C Guest 3 9-2 (C) ...................................... P Makin GRAPHITE (19) D M Simcock 3 9-1 ........................ J P Spencer EBBISHAM (115) J Mackie 4 9-0 ................................. J Quinn AIR OF YORK (19) J Flint 5 9-0 (CD2) ................ William Cox (7) NEWSTEAD ABBEY (19) M Herrington 7 9-0 (CD) ........ T Eaves LORD COMMANDER (9) R Fahey 3 8-13 .................. J Garritty THE AMBER FORT (8) D O’Meara 3 8-13 (C) ......... S Birkett (3) BETTING: 9-2 Graphite, 5 Daring Guest, 11-2 Logi, 13-2 Spinnaka, 8 Lord Commander, Air Of York, 10 The Amber Fort, Murdanova, 12 Others.
7-2 Held up in touch, headway over 3f out, chased leaders over 1f out, led inside final furlong, headed and no extra close home, 2nd of 7, nk behind Frankster at Pontefract 1m mdn stks (5) sft. 4-1fav Held up towards rear, good headway 2f out, soon chasing leaders, switched right over 1f out, 2nd and every chance inside final furlong, ran on, just held, 2nd of 13, hd behind Bounty Pursuit at Kempton 7f hcp 0-70 (5) pol. 5-1 Chased leaders, went 2nd and hung left inside final furlong, strong challenge near finish, just failed, 2nd of 11, shd behind Qatari Riyals at Wolverhampton 6f hcp 0-75 (5) in Sep.