Brendan Duke has vowed to be "protective" of his exciting juvenile colt Warm The Voice this year ahead of a potential Classic campaign in 2018.

The County Kildare handler has made no secret of his high opinion of the Vocalised colt, owned by trainer Jim Bolger's wife Jackie.

Warm The Voice put up a pretty useful performance to win a premier nursery at the Curragh off top weight on Sunday on his third start.

However, Duke is keen to pursue the patient route and is sticking to his original thought of running him next in the Beresford Stakes at Naas on September 24.

"He's taken the race perfectly. He is a real smart colt," said Duke.

"I've spoken to Jackie and Jim and he will have an entry at Leopardstown on Saturday week but he is much more likely to run in the Beresford at Naas at the end of September - t hat has always been my plan.

"He'll definitely be entered in both the Irish and English 2000 Guineas. This is a very good colt. He is still very much in the early stages of his career.

"There is a huge amount of improvement in this colt, in my opinion. I am being maybe overprotective of him, but I don't think that's a bad thing with a two-year-old. I will certainly be protecting him.

"You could pitch him up in Group One company this season if you were in a hurry with him, but we're not in any hurry with him."