Jim Bolger targeting Classic date with Verbal Dexterity despite Trophy defeat

Jim Bolger is blaming himself for Verbal Dexterity's below-par effort in the Racing Post Trophy at Doncaster on Saturday.

The master of Coolcullen has made no secret of the regard in which he holds the two-year-old, hailing him as "the complete package" and "as good as any of the two-year-olds I've had" following his dominant victory in last month's National Stakes at the Curragh.

However, he missed an intended appearance in the Dewhurst Stakes at Newmarket following an unsatisfactory scope and while Bolger was hopeful he had fully recovered in time to contest the final Group One of the British Flat season on Town Moor, he was under pressure from an early stage before boxing on to finish fourth.

Asked if anything had come to light following the run, Bolger said: "Everything came to light two weeks ago when he didn't scope well.

"He seemed in good form, so I took a chance and ran him, but I shouldn't have and I paid the penalty.

"He didn't run up to his best on the day, but he's arrived home safe and well, so we have the horse for next year."

Verbal Dexterity is a best-priced 25-1 for next year's 2000 Guineas and Bolger confirmed he will be trained for the Newmarket Classic.

"The plan would be to go straight for the 2000 Guineas," the trainer added.