The Turf is the highlight of Saturday’s nine-race Breeders’ Cup card for European fans, with 10 of the 14-strong field trained in the UK, Ireland or France, and Bay City Roller (21.36) could be an excellent bet at around 9-1 with British bookmakers to give George Scott a first Breeders’ Cup winner at the second attempt.
Stall 13 is not ideal, but there is little obvious pace on his inside and Oisin Murphy managed to get close to the lead from a similar draw in the Arc. A strong second behind Daryz at Longchamp showed that Bay City Roller can act on a sound surface, and he is the top-rated runner in the field on Timeform’s ratings on that form.
The short straight, meanwhile, will also play to his strengths if Murphy can get across and sit handy, and then kick coming off the turn.
Keeneland 17.10: Ways And Means was nearly six lengths clear in a Grade One last time and should get a better trip from stall two than Explora, her main market rival.
Keeneland 17.48: Bacio, the front-running Nunthorpe winner, could face a battle for the lead and Billy Loughnane, on Donnacha O’Brien’s Comanche Brave, will be poised to pounce.
Keeneland 18.26: A strong pace should set things up for John Velazquez and Bracket Buster, who ran into traffic problems at Parx last time.
Keeneland 19.04: Blue Bolt and Precise are both drawn wide and Mark Casse’s Classic Q, well drawn in three to sit just behind the pace, could be a live each-way alternative at around 16-1.
Keeneland 19.42: Englishman and Japanese-trained T O Elvis dominate the betting, but there are negatives for both and the pacy, fast-improving Liam Smith, from three, could well outrun odds of around 25-1.
Keeneland 20.20: Charlie Appleby has saddled four winners from five starters in the Mile and Notable Speech, successful at Del Mar 12 months ago, has plenty in hand of the field.
Keeneland 20.58: A likely head-to-head between Nitrogen and Fully Subscribed, and Mark Casse’s filly is ideally drawn to attack from the off.
Keeneland 22.16: Just seven go to post for the Classic and it promises to set up ideally for Forever Young to become only the second dual winner in its 42-year history.
Take Pic to stay in focus after stable switch
The classy chaser Pic D’Orhy, already the winner of three Grade Ones and £1m in prize money, was a high-profile stable-switcher from Paul Nicholls to his former assistant, Dan Skelton, over the summer and can make an immediate contribution to the champion trainer’s title defence in the Charlie Hall Chase at Wetherby on Saturday.
Pic D’Orhy (2.55) was winless in four starts last season but was just a length-and-a-half away from a fourth Grade One success in the Ascot Chase in February, and also finished a close second on his seasonal debut in Saturday’s race 12 months ago.
The 11-year-old remains among the top-rated chasers in training and has often shown his best form when fresh, while good ground is also a positive as Pic D’Orhy tackles three miles for only the third time in his career.
Wetherby 1.10 Patrick Neville has his string in exceptional form and Tanking Along could get a soft lead in pursuit of his third win of the campaign.
Ascot 1.25 The form of Jet To Vegas’s success at Market Rasen last time was franked when the runner-up won next time up and this should be run to suit.
Wetherby 1.45 Dan Skelton is going for a fifth win in six runnings and Kateira, successful 12 months ago, has several pounds in hand of this field.
Ascot 2.00 Ben Pauling’s Vanderpoel faded only after jumping the last in the Grand Annual at Cheltenham and could have more to offer this season.
Wetherby 2.18 Strong Leader landed this on his seasonal debut 12 months ago and this looks like the ideal day to catch him.
Quick GuideGreg Wood’s Saturday tips
Show
Newmarket 11.20 Caragio 11.50 Dashing Dick 12.25 Ibtekar 1.05 Bearin Up 1.40 Bengal Tiger 2.10 Haven 2.44 White Birch 3.23 Under Arrest 3.58 Kennington
Wetherby 12.35 Minella Hollow 1.10 Tanking Along 1.45 Kateira 2.18 Strong Leader 2.55 Pic d’Orhy (nb) 3.30 Filibustering 4.03 Sledgehammer
Ayr 12.43 Majordomo 1.18 Didntgotwenty 1.53 Knomorediamonds 2.28 Tommy Combats 3.03 Liberty Coach 3.37 Tales Of Bravery 4.10 Ck O’Mara
Ascot 12.50 Beau Quali 1.25 Jet To Vegas 2.00 Vanderpoel (nap) 2.33 Queensbury Boy 3.10 Sportingsilvermine 3.43 Messerschmitt 4.15 Lord Churchill
Southwell 4.00 Launceston 4.35 Oppenheimer 5.05 National Honour 5.40 Always Sunny 6.15 Murashah 6.50 Chapel Down 7.25 Indian Run 8.00 Guernsey Angel 8.30 Chambers
Ascot 2.33 The addition of cheekpieces saw an improved performance from Queensbury Boy last time and he remains unexposed at three miles.
Down Royal 3.15 Last year’s Ryanair Chase winner, Heart Wood, goes well fresh and could take all the beating in Ireland’s first Grade One chase of the season.
Wetherby 3.30 A tactical race in prospect with no obvious pace-setter in the field, and Filibustering could have the finishing speed to take advantage.
Ascot 3.43 Messerschmitt is an interesting recruit for Ben Pauling’s stable and still looks on a fair mark on the pick of his Irish form.
