Bolger’s Verbal Dexterity to have final word

Trainer is confident and mile trip appears to hold no fears

Jim Bolger can prove to be Aidan O’brien’s party pooper 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, Verbal Dexterity seemingly improved for the step up to seven furlongs that day and given the way he stayed on, 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.

Paul Nicholls is taking GIVE ME A COPPER to Kelso and you would expect him to triumph.

The gelding has tasted success on three of its last four outings, winning at Ayr on similar ground back in April.

SELECTIONS: DONCASTER:

1.45 Mutaaqeb, 2.20 Rogue, 2.55 Ooty Hill, 3.25 VERBAL DEXTERITY (NAP), 4.00 Boundsy, 4.35 Sir Dancealot, 5.10 Pastime.

KELSO: 1.15 Echo Express, 1.50 Some Reign, 2.25 Give Me A Copper, 3.00 Firth Of The Clyde, 3.35 Civil Unrest, 4.05 Allez Cool, 4.40 Buckled 5.15 Chapel Stile.

DOUBLE: Verbal Dexterity and Give Me A Copper.