Dewhurst Review

Jim Bolger returned to Newmarket to collect his fourth Dubai Dewhurst Stakes in six years with a colt he appears to view as on a par with his previous champions New Approach and Teofilo.

Parish Hall's previous form and starting price of 20-1 would have suggested he was more of the calibre of the trainer's other Dewhurst winner Intense Focus, a battle-hardened two-year-old who did little at three.

New Approach won the Derby and the Champion Stakes, while the brilliant Teofilo - sire of Parish Hall - was robbed of his chance to prove himself by injury.


The juvenile won in the manner of so many of the physically and mentally robust members of Bolger's stable, claiming the lead on the rail when the weakening Spiritual Star let him past with two furlongs remaining and tigerishly defending his position.

Aidan O'Brien's Power, the 15-8 favourite after his success in the National Stakes, took an age to hit his stride but flashed home late to finish just half a length behind.

Bolger said: "The ground is the key to him. He needs good ground or faster. He's been improving all along but he's run into soft ground a couple of times and he can't handle that."

Comparing Parish Hall with the other Dewhurst winners, he said: "He's right up there with the previous three. Intense Focus has the record, time-wise, and he's right there with the others. There's no doubt he's in that league, he's very good.

"I think this fellow's chance of staying a mile and a half is as least as good as New Approach's. I wouldn't be sure he'd come back here for the Guineas, but I certainly think of him as a horse for Epsom and the Irish Derby."

Jockey Kevin Manning added: "It has been a very lucky race for us. If you looked back at his form, he was only just behind Power, who was one of the favourites. They went a nice even gallop, not overly fast, and when he hit the rising ground, he kept on again. I think seven furlongs is a minimum for him."


O'Brien said of Power: "He ran a stormer. We were delighted and he finished up the hill very well. We'll look forward to next year."