Breeders’ Cup – Richard Fahey hopeful of winning finish for stable star Ribchester
A host of British and Irish trainers have been giving their views ahead of a massive European raid on the final day of Breeders' Cup action on Saturday.
RICHARD FAHEY believes Ribchester can overcome his double-figure draw on his final start in the Breeders' Cup Mile at Del Mar on Saturday.
The Godolphin-owned star miler has been confirmed for stallion duties in 2018 but is looking to end his lucrative racing career in style by landing another big pot.
Fahey said: "Everything's gone good. He's training well, he's drinking and eating. We're happy.
"The Breeders' Cup chap in Europe tells me 10 is not a bad draw. He's given me the stats to back it up, so I'm going to go with him.
"The beauty is we're getting him back on some decent ground. That's something I want to see before he retires and he does retire after Saturday.
"We're lucky we're getting the opportunity to run him again. It is around two tight turns, and I'd be more worried about that than anything, but you don't know until you try and the pace of the race you'd imagine will suit.
"If he handles the track, I'm sure he'll run his race. He's very reliable and when you know they're going to the paddocks, you just want him to run well for him - to finish on a good note."
Aidan O'Brien's Roly Poly and Lancaster Bomber will oppose in the race, whilst Hugo Palmer's Home Of The Brave and David O'Meara's Suedois bolster the British hopes.
The American opposition is headed by World Approval, whose trainer Mark Casse sent out Tepin to lift this prize two years ago.
He said: "I've heard so much about Ribchester and he is an extremely good horse, but he is beatable.
"A couple of years ago the Europeans came over and said they were going to beat Tepin and she showed them different."
CHURCHILL bids to provide Aidan O'Brien with a fairytale ending to an historic year by securing the Ballydoyle handler with an elusive first success in the Breeders' Cup Classic at Del Mar.
It will be right up there with the biggest achievements of his stellar career if he can finally break his duck in the Classic, having come very close in the past with Giant's Causeway (2000) and Henrythenavigator (2008).
O'Brien said: "It's a massive race and a race we'd always love to win, but it's a tough race and obviously we haven't won it.
"We take the horses as they come along. With Churchill, I've always thought that he could end up in the Classic."
Churchill looked a potential superstar after completing the English-Irish 2000 Guineas double in the spring, but has been beaten on each of his four starts since.
However, he was far from disgraced when third in the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes on Champions Day at Ascot and O'Brien feels he has not yet realised his full potential.
He said: "Even though things haven't quite worked out for him in his last three races, everything has gone smoothly for him since Ascot.
"He has tactical early speed and is tough and what some people didn't spot at Ascot was that he got stopped twice in the last two furlongs and lost his momentum."
MOST READ
The trainer told At The Races: "I don't think we've seen the very best of this horse.
"The dirt is obviously the big question for him this week, but he's a big powerful horse and is built to handle it.
"He is tactically quick early and he relaxes and then he comes home very well. He gets a mile really well and probably stays a mile and a quarter
"He's a big powerful horse, like those American horses, and we're looking forward to it."
O'Brien also saddles the American-bred War Decree, who was an authoritative winner of a Group Three at Dundalk on his latest appearance.
Leading American trainer Bob Baffert is mob-handed in his quest for a fourth successive Classic success, with last year's winner Arrogate the leading contender.
He is joined by stablemates West Coast, Collected, who beat Arrogate here in August, and Mubtaahij.
Arrogate was the highest-rated horse in the world after winning the Dubai World Cup earlier this year, but has lost his air of invincibility after being beaten on his latest two starts.
Baffert said: "We have to see him (Arrogate) run the race that we're all accustomed to seeing him run. Right now, I just don't see him not running well. Whether it's good enough, we'll see."
The Steve Asmussen-trained Gun Runner was no match for Arrogate at Meydan, but has since landed three Grade Ones and is set to go off favourite for the Classic.
HIGHLAND REEL is in peak condition for the defence of his crown in the Breeders' Cup Turf at Del Mar according to Aidan O'Brien.
O'Brien said: "At Ascot, Ryan (Moore) minded him. He kept him on the best ground and didn't hit him.
"He needed to have a run before coming here because he'd had a little bit a setback after the King George, which meant the Arc came just too soon for him.
"He's in good order. He has a good draw, he loves fast ground and loves a mile and a half.
"Highland Reel always goes forward in his races and will do that on Saturday.
"He doesn't mind bowling along, but he doesn't have to make the running. He won't mind going on himself if no one else is going to."
Highland Reel is one of three runners for the Ballydoyle handler along with Epsom Derby runner-up Cliffs Of Moher and dual Group One-winning filly Seventh Heaven.
O'Brien has saddled a record six previous winners of the Turf - two more than Sir Michael Stoute, who relies upon Ulysses this year.
The Galileo colt was only fourth at Santa Anita 12 months ago, but has certainly raised his game in 2017, striking Group One gold in the Eclipse at Sandown and the Juddmonte International at York before finishing third behind Enable in the Arc.
Stoute said: "He's an improving horse. Whether he's good enough to see off Highland Reel and the others, we will see.
"I can see that his best form is over a mile and a quarter, although in the King George and Arc conditions were quite testing.
"The horse will love the ground, although the track is quite tight, so he will need a bit of luck in the race."
The only other British challenger in a 14-strong field is Roger Charlton's Decorated Knight, who has won three Group Ones this year, most recently the Irish Champion Stakes.
Charlton said: "He's really well, in spite of a longish journey, during which we were hanging around a bit at Stansted.
"Here at Del Mar there's a bustling business to the place, which contrasts to the beautiful countryside in which he is trained at Beckhampton, but the weather is much cooler than we expected, which is good for all the European horses
"Happily, he seems very relaxed, while we've been wanting fast ground all year as he is such a good mover.
"I thought he got the mile and a quarter very well at Leopardstown and there's every chance on that evidence of us getting the trip.
"I think it would be wrong to underestimate him, as he's the only horse in the race that has won three Group Ones this year.
Templegate's TV Tips
Ascot 1.50 - Copain De Classe: 'I'm confident he's well weighted and the switch to fences should be the making of him'
Wetherby 2.05 - La Bague Au Roi: 'She was a smart novice last season and this looks an ideal opportunity to land another Listed prize'
Ascot 2.25 - Max Ward: 'Took well to fences last season and this drop in distance should suit'
Wetherby 2.40 - Wholestone: 'Has the potential to be a smart stayer and there was a lot to like about his return effort'
Ascot 3.00 - Air Horse One: 'He's one to follow this season and should get the strong pace he likes here'
Wetherby 3.15 - Bristol De Mai: 'Has always promised to develop into a top-class chaser and can show that class today'
Ascot 3.35 - Ballykan: 'He's become nicely weighted after losing his form in the spring and summer'
"His rating has gone up and up, and he keeps delivering."
Andre Fabre sends Talismanic from France, while the home team is headed by the Chad Brown-trained Beach Patrol.
QUEEN'S TRUST will hope fast ground brings out her best as she bids for back-to-back victories in the Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf at Del Mar.
Chris Richardson, managing director for owner-breeders Cheveley Park Stud, said: "Every race she has run this year has been on good to soft or soft ground. She likes the fast ground.
"She hasn't really had a chance with the ground this year and this is the last race of her career. Mr and Mrs Thompson (owners) were happy to take another chance and Sir Michael recommended she ran.
"We know she is hugely talented, it is just a question of getting her conditions.
"It was fantastic winning the race last year as it crowned our year."
Aidan O'Brien's Rhododendron, Roger Varian's Nezwaah and Charlie Appleby's Wuheida complete a strong European team in the race.