show me:

Jim Bolger full of praise for Verbal Dexterity following National Stakes glory

3 minute read

Jim Bolger hailed Verbal Dexterity as "the complete package" following his dominant display in the Goffs Vincent O'Brien National Stakes at the Curragh.

Trainer : Jim Bolger Picture: Alan Crowhurst/Getty Images

The master of Glebe House has won just about every big race going over the years, including this Group One event three times with top-class juveniles Teofilo (2006), New Approach (2007) and Dawn Approach (2012).

Bolger is not a man of many words, but struggled to contain his enthusiasm following Verbal Dexterity's scintillating performance, rating him at least on a par with any two-year-old he has trained.

"I can see him as being champion European two-year-old. He's the real deal. He's as good as any of the two-year-olds I've had," said Bolger.

The Vocalised colt made a huge impression when winning on his debut over the course and distance in early 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 One victory on the Flat, but 5-2 chance Verbal Dexterity reversed previous form in some style.

Verbal Dexterity and Aidan O'Brien's Rostropovich were both being ridden passing the two-furlong 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 he eventually came home with three and a half lengths in hand.

Each of Bolger's three previous winners of this race went on to land the Dewhurst Stakes, a race Bolger has won five times overall, and an appearance at Newmarket on October 14 is on Verbal Dexterity's agenda.

" He's a very good horse. We loved him here the first day and then I got it wrong when I went back to six furlongs in the Railway," the trainer added.

"He needs the seven (furlongs), even though he has plenty of toe. Seven or a mile is his real cut.

"He handles any ground. It was good ground the last day over six and it was still a good effort. We were fairly optimistic that we would turn the tables going seven.

"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.

"He's a very sound, strong-limbed horse and I don't see any problems with faster going or deeper going - i t will all come alike to him.

"There is no need to look beyond a mile. When you have a horse like that, you don't need to think about going further."