The injury to the European "banker" Singspiel has given the Breeders' Cup Turf a more open feel at Hollywood Park, California, today. The mile-and-a-half race can still count on four European contenders, including the Irish filly, Dance Design, making her third American start.

So far the 1996 Irish Oaks winner has found the other side of the pond an unlucky place, and her run in the Yellow Ribbon Stakes last Sunday was a nightmare. The Dermot Weld charge forfeited any chance she had by being badly hampered and nearly falling. Even in the absence of Singspiel, Dance Design is the least fancied of the European quartet, which looks to have the Arc de Triomphe third, Borgia, as its most potent advocate.

Chief Bearhart, the impressive Canadian International winner, looks best amongst the North Americans.

Majorien and Rajpoute go for France, but Gallic hopes look to have better prospects in the Breeders' Cup Mile through Spinning World.

Cash Asmussen's record in the Breeders' Cup (no wins in 22 starts) hardly inspires confidence, but two wins by Miesque and one by Last Tycoon suggest that is generally a good race for France.

Spinning World, Europe's champion miler elect, ran second in this race last year when it was run at the Woodbine, Canada.

The tighter Hollywood track and the firmer surface are greater imponderables for the well-drawn favourite this time around.

John Gosden's Decorated Hero is a rated at 20 to 1 for the Mile.

Carmine Lake, Pas de Reponse and Royal Applause, the first three home in the Prix de l'Abbaye de Longchamp, are also rated 20 to 1 outsiders in the Breeders' Cup Sprint. Royal Applause may do best of the Europeans. Richter Scale is rated best of the Americans.

The richest race on the card, the Breeders' Cup Classic, looks a four-way battle between Skip Away, Touch Gold, Behrens and Deputy Commander.

Countess Diana (Juvenile Fillies), Jewel Princess and (Distaff) Favorite Trick (Juvenile), are the favourites in the other Breeders' Cup races.