Breeders’ Cup: The British and Irish-trained horses to watch out for
Breeders’ Cup: The British and Irish-trained horses to watch out for
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Latest 2018 Breeders’ Cup betting news and preview
British and Irish trainers will be well-represented across the pond this weekend, as the Breeders’ Cup returns to Churchill Downs for the first time since 2011.
Enable heads the visiting charge in the Breeders’ Cup Turf, while The Mackem Bullet for Brian Ellison provides the romantic element in the Fillies’ Turf. The two fillies make our five-pronged list of British and Irish runners to keep an eye on.
The Mackem Bullet is a fair way down the list for the Fillies Turf. Yet Brian Ellison’s charge has a habit of causing an upset. Not many would have had the £9,000 purchase – who made her debut when sixth at Carlisle in May – on the list for the Breeders’ Cup.
But the Society Rock filly has gone from strength-to-strength, most recently finishing a neck behind Fairyland at 25/1 in a hotly contested Cheveley Park Stakes. She has the best form of the British-trained assault in the race and should relish the step up to 1m.
All the talk heading into the Classic is about Roaring Lion. John Gosden’s star has proved himself to be the best 1m 2f horse in Europe this term. However, there are doubts over his chances here because of a low draw and the concern over whether he can do it on dirt.
None such criticisms can be laid at the hooves of Mendelssohn. Aidan O’Brien’s charge has been over in the States four times already this year, showing gradual improvement with each run as he builds towards a Classic tilt. Ryan Moore’s ride should have a good chance of ending Bob Baffert’s stranglehold in the race, providing the weather holds out.
After recording her second successive Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe success at ParisLongchamp, our traders are taking no chances with Enable. John Gosden’s wonder-filly is an odds-on shot to bring the Turf back to Europe for the fourth time in as many years.
The daughter of Nathaniel has been lightly raced this season. That could mean she’ll come on from her run in Paris. If she does – or even if she doesn’t for that matter – the three-year-old could become the first ever Arc winner to follow up in the Turf.
There’s no doubting Wild Illusion’s credentials for the Filly & Mare Turf. Charlie Appleby’s filly has steadily improved throughout the season. She recorded her best effort yet last time out when landing the Prix de l’Opera from Magic Wand at Longchamp.
The trainer has a decent record In the Breeders’ Cup, too. But his task this year is made much harder by Chad Brown. The American has five darts in this race, which means he’ll likely try and control the tempo and how the race is run. Beverly D Stakes winner Sistercharlie is the main danger.
One of three in this race for O’Brien, I Can Fly has progressed nicely this year after failing to cut the mustard in both the 1,000 Guineas and the Oaks. Her 33/1 runner-up berth to Roaring Lion on Champions Day was her best run yet, which puts her firmly in contention here.
Ryan Moore’s decision to steer Gustav Klimt over our featured runner is an interesting one. Jamie Spencer will take the ride instead. That could prove telling, with the thinking likely that a hold-up jockey can get the best out of a horse who so often shows exceptional pace in the final furlong.
