Breeders' Cup Ante-Post Betting: Breeders' Cup Classic

Breeders' Cup / Will Hayler / 02 November 2009 / Leave a Comment

"Aidan O'Brien would love to win this prize and Rip Van Winkle ([3.2]) gives him a great chance in the absence of Sea The Stars. "

Rip Van Winkle will probably cede favouritism to Zenyatta as the Breeders' Cup gets ever closer but that could just make Rip a more attractive betting proposition for Will Hayler

Breeders' Cup Classic, Saturday 23:45

Betfair's busiest Breeders' Cup market and a fascinating renewal which promises to prove a talking point. Unbeaten super-mare Zenyatta (5.0) is likely to go off morning-line favourite and if her Betfair price compresses nearer to the race to reflect her pari-mutuel price, her current odds could offer an arbing opportunity. She has never even run against a colt, let alone beaten one and although she is evidently an outstanding performer, I expect her to struggle against a high-quality field. You can lay her for a place at [2.06] and I'm tempted.

Aidan O'Brien would love to win this prize and Rip Van Winkle ([3.2]) gives him a great chance in the absence of Sea The Stars. He has the tactical speed to lay up handy enough and a tidy turn of foot. Take out Sea The Stars from the Eclipse and he would have won by five lengths and he was just as impressive afterwards in the Sussex Stakes.

Belmont winner Summer Bird ([8.8]) is tactically versatile and improving rapidly. He looks a major player for his small stable.

The wheels seem to have come off for Mine That Bird ([27.0]) since his Kentucky Derby win. Arlington Million winner Gio Ponti ([13.5]) is useful but could be better on turf. Twice Over ([13.5]) probably needs to produce a career-best to get involved, even after his Group One success in the Champion Stakes last time out.