Verbal Dexterity

Views from connections for Saturday's big races including the Racing Post Trophy at Doncaster

15:59 · SAT October 28, 2017

Get all the latest trainer quotes ahead of the feature action on Saturday including Aidan O'Brien on his Doncaster team.

Racing Post Trophy Stakes, 3.25 Doncaster

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Aidan O'Brien - Saxon Warrior, Seahenge, The Pentagon and Coat Of Arms

"Saxon Warrior seems to be in good form since Naas. Hopefully the ground will be nice there. Obviously Seahenge only ran (recently) in the Dewhurst, but he seems to be in good form since.

"The Pentagon has had a bit of a break since his run the last time in the Tyros. He seems to be in good form and is just ready to start back.

"Coat Of Arms is in good form. He had a good run when second in the Futurity and is stepping up to a mile now."

Jim Bolger - Verbal Dexterity

"I'm very much looking forward to it. Obviously he couldn't run in the Dewhurst because his scope wasn't 100 per cent, but he's ready again now. The ground looks like being good so there's no problems on that score. Hopefully he'll win again, we'll give it our best shot."

David Redvers, Qatar Racing manager - Roaring Lion

"He seems to have improved throughout the season. We had the option of the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf, but Mr Gosden felt very strongly that if the ground at Doncaster was reasonable then he would like to go there.

"We won the race with Elm Park three years ago and had a great day up there. Roaring Lion is very different to Elm Park, but goes to Doncaster with a stronger chance, if anything. I'm very optimistic."

Charlie Appleby - Loxley

"I was pleased with his work on Wednesday. I know it is a step up for him, but we feel he won't look out of place and hopefully he can run into a place. He came out of Goodwood so well and looking at him as an individual he looks so well and his work has been good since, it is just trying to get a level on him for next season."

Jim Crowley, jockey - Gabr

"I rode him work last week and he went really well. He's getting better with experience, the horse he beat (Istanbul Sultan) came out and won at Goodwood, so he's going the right way. I thought he worked super, but it's a different ball game going into a Group One."

Martyn Meade - Chilean

"If it had been proper soft ground it would have just inconvenienced some of the others and we know ours handles it. He did win fairly comfortably at Haydock, but he does need to step up as it looks an exceptionally tough renewal, certainly compared to last year.

"The ground being good means those well-bred horses will be more at home, but we can't do anything about that."

Worthington's 'Indigo Leisure' Stakes, 2.15 Newbury

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Charlie Appleby - Frontiersman

"His work was good on Wednesday and it was just a case of keeping an eye on the ground. Although he won on good to soft at Newmarket, he has been beaten on soft ground twice at Newbury.

"He has come out of his last race well. We pitched him in this race last year, but it was probably at that stage of his career where it was a bit too soon. If he puts a performance in like he did on his last start at Newmarket he will be bang up there."

Saeed bin Suroor - Best Solution

"Best Solution has always run his best races on softer ground, so conditions at Newbury should suit. This looks a good race for him in terms of class and trip. He has been working well and has a good chance."

Tony Nerses, racing manager for owners Saleh Al Homaizi and Imad Al Sagar - Ayrad

"He's been doing good and took the race very well. We are very happy with his condition and the way he came back. He's run over a mile an a half in the past and I don't think the distance is an issue.

"He's a Group-class horse but somehow things haven't gone right for him for whatever reason. He's been knocking on the door but so far it hasn't happened."

Bruce Raymond, racing manager for owner Saeed Suhail - Across The Stars

"He's in the best shape he's been in all year."

Ralph Beckett - Mountain Bell

"She had a problem earlier in the season, which is why she has not been seen out before now, but I am happy with the way she is now. There was a lot to like about her performances last year and she showed she was very tough."

Brian Meehan - Raheen House

"He ran a great race last time out at Ascot having deservedly won the Listed race. He has been in cracking form since and I hope he can be just as competitive again."

randoxhealth.com Handicap Chase, 2.00 Cheltenham

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Tom George - Singlefarmpayment

"He came back from his summer break looking good and we are happy with him at the moment. We said we will take each step as it comes this season, depending on how the horse is, and see where we go.

"He progressed well last season and it will be interesting to see if he can carry that on this season."

Neil Mulholland - Doing Fine

"Ideally we'd probably have liked a little bit longer between races, but he seems to have come out of the hurdle race well and we're happy with him at home. Hopefully he'll come on for the run and he likes Cheltenham, so fingers crossed he'll run well."

On Fiddlers Green - Henry De Bromhead

"The soft going probably went against On Fiddlers Green in the Munster National, so I am hoping the better ground will suit and that he can run a good race."

Randox Health Handicap Chase, 3.10 Cheltenham

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David Pipe - Vaniteux

"He's in good form and he does everything at home as you'd expect. It's a tough ask off top weight, but he has some good form around Cheltenham and it's a good starting point, so we'll see how we go."

Henry De Bromhead - Some Plan

"I hope that the return to two miles will suit. He was very disappointing and didn't seem to stay the last day. He was kept busy last season and had a great first half, winning three races and then just seemed to peter out. He has beaten some very good chasers and is a fair horse on his day."

Malcolm Jefferson's daughter, Ruth - Double W's

"He always improves from his first run. Last year he was beaten in a handicap hurdle at Hexham. We've been happy with him since Kelso. He worked very well on Wednesday and we're happy to have a go."

Masterson Holdings Hurdle, 2.35 Cheltenham

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Henry De Bromhead - Twobeelucky

"I think that this will be Twobeelucky's final run before he goes off for a break. We are up against it on the ratings, but we said that we would give it a go and see how we get on."

Royal Gloucestershire Hussars Novices' Chase, 4.20 Cheltenham

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Charlie Longsdon - Midnight Shot

"He's had a great year and he's a tough and hardy old brute who loves his jumping. It's a tough ask with the Nicholls horse in the race, but we're going there in good form and we're looking forward to it."