Aidan O’Brien hopes to set the seal on a record-breaking season with a 26th top-level success in the Racing Post Trophy at Doncaster on Saturday. The race is Britain’s last Group One of 2017 and Saxon Warrior – the choice of Ryan Moore – and The Pentagon will set off at combined odds of around 4-5 to deliver Ballydoyle’s eighth success in the race.
The focus on O’Brien’s team, however, should allow Jim Bolger’s Verbal Dexterity (3.25) to start at a very attractive price. Bolger, who trained five Dewhurst winners in seven years from 2006, suggested after Verbal Dexterity’s win in the Group One National Stakes that he is “as good as any of the two-year-olds I’ve had” and he could well improve further for the step up to a mile.
The Pentagon, who stopped the clock in an exceptional time for a maiden at The Curragh in July, could be the best of the Ballydoyle runners, but Verbal Dexterity boasts the form of a worthy favourite, at a second-favourite’s price.
Saturday’s other TV races
Doncaster 1.45 Rebel Assault has had eight starts already this year but still looked to be progressing when successful in Listed company at York a fortnight ago. Mutaaqeb is the dark horse in the race but may have his hands full against Mark Johnston’s battling filly.
Cheltenham 2.00 Singlefarmpayment was narrowly beaten in the Ultima at the Festival in March and Coologue was successful in this race from an identical mark 12 months ago. Marginal preference, though, is for the unexposed Robinsfirth, a useful hurdler who could start the season on a handy chasing mark.
Newbury 2.15 It is hard to put too much faith in Frontiersman, even in a weak race for the grade, and it is unlikely that What About Carlo will ever have a better chance to register a group-race success.
Cheltenham 2.35 Bedrock is improving fast and should account for three rivals here with something to spare.
Newbury 2.50 Mythical Magic drops back to seven furlongs after failing to get home over a mile in Group One company last time and should have a little too much class for the dependable Nebo.
Cheltenham 3.10 Double W’s needed his comeback run at Ayr earlier this month but is a top-notch two-mile handicap chaser on his day and can take this off 142, just 3lb above his mark when winning at Aintree in April.
Cheltenham 3.45 Stick To The Plan was the season’s unluckiest loser when unseating Bridget Andrews a few strides from certain victory last time. Dan Skelton’s hurdler is the dark horse in the field and compensation awaits with his brother Harry back in the plate.
Doncaster 4.00 A very long shortlist for this five-furlong sprint but Lincoln is a decent 12-1 chance on his latest form. Coming back from three months off, he finished fast from a long way off the pace to go down by a length and a half last time out and has won over track and trip from a similar mark in the past.
Greg Wood’s tips for all Saturday’s races
Cheltenham 2.00 Robinsfirth 2.35 Bedrock 3.10 Double W’s 3.45 Stick To The Plan 4.20 Two Taffs 4.55 Calett Mad 5.30 Ainchea
Doncaster 1.45 Rebel Assault 2.20 Al Hajar 2.55 Lawless Secret 3.25 Verbal Dexterity (nap) 4.00 Lincoln (nb) 4.35 Sir Dancealot 5.10 Hajjam
Newbury 1.10 Birch Grove 1.40 Tathmeen 2.15 What About Carlo 2.50 Mythical Magic 3.20 Century Dream 3.55 Moonlight Bay 4.30 Dream Of Camelot 5.05 Take Two
Kelso 1.15 The Delray Munky 1.50 Some Reign 2.25 Give Me A Copper 3.00 As De Mee 3.35 Jet Master 4.05 Doktor Glaz 4.40 Buckled 5.15 Chapel Style
Wolverhampton 5.45 Nutini Miss Rosina 6.45 Barnaby Brook 7.15 Angel In The Snow 7.45 Big Time Maybe 8.15 Mraseel 8.45 Debonaire David 9.15 Daring Guest
