AIDAN O'Brien has 12 horses in contention for Saturday's Racing Post Trophy at Doncaster as he seeks a record-breaking 26th Group 1 winner of the year.

The Ballydoyle handler equalled Bobby Frankel's record with Hydrangea at Ascot on Saturday and is responsible for more than half of the entries in the mile contest.

Spearheading O'Brien's potential team are leading Investec Derby fancies Saxon Warrior and The Pentagon.

Mendelssohn, Seahenge and Threeandfourpence, who finished second, third and fourth respectively in the Dewhurst, have also been left in, along with Zetland Stakes winner Kew Gardens and Royal Lodge runner-up Nelson.

Coat Of Arms, Delano Roosevelt, Hunting Horn, Lucius Tiberius and Saracen Knight complete his list of contenders.

John Gosden's Royal Lodge winner Roaring Lion heads the home-trained team, while Charlie Appleby could be double-handed with Solario Stakes hero Masar and first-time-out Goodwood winner Loxley, who was the sole supplementary entry.

The list is completed by Alfa McGuire (Bryan Smart), Chilean (Martyn Meade), Hey Gaman (James Tate), Gabr (Sir Michael Stoute) and Merlin Magic (David Elsworth).

Verbal Dexterity

Verbal Dexterity is set to bid for a Group 1 double in Saturday's Racing Post Trophy at Doncaster.

Jim Bolger's National Stakes hero missed the Dewhurst due to a bad scope, but is back on track and primed for Town Moor.

Bolger, who can also call upon Theobald in a bid for a first win in the race, told At The Races: "He scoped clean last Thursday. He was in very good form all along so we were able to keep him exercised.

"He did a bit of work on Saturday morning, I was very happy with that.

"He'll work again on Tuesday and that should leave him ready for the Racing Post Trophy. That's the objective at the moment.

"I wouldn't be looking back (at the Dewhurst). Hopefully we get the business done in Doncaster."

READ MORE IN NEXT SATURDAY'S EDITION OF THE IRISH FIELD