Racing/Breeders' Cup: Aidan O'Brien has charge of almost half the 12-strong European challenge for tonight's Breeders' Cup at Lone Star Park but if there are to be any celebratory "yeehaws" from the visitors they look like having an Anglo-French accent.
The novel Texan location for this Breeders' Cup seems to have had a rather slimming effect on the usual cross-channel challenge but even the threat of humidity, possible storms and a stateful of stetsons cannot disguise Ouija Board's outstanding claims for the Fillies & Mares race.
Outstanding at Epsom, professional at the Curragh and unlucky in the Arc, Kieren Fallon's mount looks a class apart from these. Fallon had a similar task at Santa Anita last year on board Islington and did the job. The jockey doesn't need much prompting to say that Ouija Board is better.
Yesterday was third in 2003 but is still in comeback mode after a bout of colitis earlier in the season so Ouija Board's biggest threat could come from the French filly Aubonne. This Longchamp Group Three winner had a nightmare passage in the Flower Bowl at Belmont and has Jerry Bailey on her back.
Ballydoyle's best shout of a fourth Breeders' Cup winner in four years looks to be Powerscourt in the Turf. The Sadler's Wells colt hasn't run since incurring a muscle injury when third to Azamour in the Irish Champion and while that is a long absence, the positive view is that he should be fresh.
However, Powerscourt does face the unenviable task of facing up to what could be the banker of the entire meeting. Kitten's Joy has only been beaten once on grass and some normally bleary and bloodshot eyes on the back stretch have been proclaiming the colt to be "super freaky". It could be a duel between the two horses and bearing in mind Powerscourt's waywardness in the Arlington Million Kitten's Joy looks the one.
If Kitten's Joy is a "shoo-in" then the local hope Artie Schiller must be a threat to the European's in the Mile. The Turf favourite is the only one to beat the Jamaica Handicap winner in his last six starts and the European challenge, which includes Antonius Pius and his bag of quirks, may come up short.
Only eight line up for the Juvenile but it's a high-class field that includes Scandinavia. The Royal Lodge runner-up could run a much better race than a lot of people expect but if Sun King settles better than when third to Proud Accolade in the Champagne, then Edgar Prado's mount looks a worthwhile bet to come through late.
Azeri's absence from the Distaff throws that race wide open. The likely favourite Ashado still has questions to answer at the trip and if there is to be a shock it could come from the French filly Nebraska Tornado.
Dirt bred and a proven Group One winner she looked to put in a significant warm-up when only a length off Attraction in the Sun Chariot. Andre Fabre has form when it comes to winning at long odds on dirt and the likely American tote price looks much too big for such a quality animal.
There are no visitors in the Classic where Pleasantly Perfect goes for back-to-back wins. However, his running style leaves him vulnerable to pace and that's what Ghostzapper has plenty of.
