The talk is over at Monmouth, it's time for racing...

US Racing / Graham Cunningham / 26 October 2007 / 3

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Graham Cunningham gives you a race-by-race guide to the Breeders' Cup action

The phoney war is over at Breeders' Cup 2007.

No longer are the mornings spent wandering aimlessly down the backstretch stepping over steaming piles of horse dung while hoping to pick up a worthwhile quote from trainers and riders.

No longer are the evenings spent tackling unfeasibly large steaks washed down by enough fizzy, tasteless lager to float the Staten Island ferry.

No fellow horse players, this is now the time to forget the theory and get down to brass tacks. In short, it's time to take out that bankroll of coarse banknotes which all look alike and decide what your final betting strategy is going to be.

If you've come this far with Betfair's Breeders' Cup coverage it's safe to assume you have your own gameplan for a meeting which now spans two days and eleven races with a combined value of $23m in prize money.

The very best of luck with whatever you choose to do, but for the floating voters among the Betfair community here are a few possible angles staked to a suggested bank of $1000.

Filly & Mare Sprint: Expect a pace war from loads of fillies that only true Anoraks have ever heard of.
Recommendation: Bet if you must, but keep stakes to an absolute minimum.

Juvenile Turf: Strike The Deal is a solid Group 2 performer such but stamina is a big issue, whereas Achill Island will relish the trip and the recent rain.
Recommendation: Lay Strike The Deal for $30 in the win and place market. Back Achill Island to win $100.

Dirt Mile: Slice it and dice it how you like, but Discreet Cat's Cigar Mile win at Aqueduct last year is much the best piece of form and Godolphin seem confident he is ready to find that level again.
Recommendation: Back Discreet Cat to win $150.

Juvenile Fillies: No European representation and splitting the best of the Yanks is far from easy. Izarra and Indian Blessing appeal most, but not enough to go overboard. Recommendation: No bet.

Juvenile: War Pass and Tale Of Ekati look the two to focus on. The former will have company up front but looks very exciting, while the latter travels impressively and is improving fast.
Recommendation: Back War Pass and Tale Of Ekati to win $150 each.

Filly & Mare Turf: Will the unbeaten Nashoba's Key handle this softer surface? Don't bank on it. Simply Perfect might just outrun her odds despite stamina concerns, while Passage Of Time will relish this easy surface and also looks solid for a place.
Recommendation: Back Simply Perfect to win $80 in the place market and lay Nashoba's Key win and place for $40 each.

Sprint: Smokey Stover can emerge best in a battle of the big boys. Greg Gilchrist's gelding has plenty of pace yet doesn't have to lead and gets the nod over Midnight Lute, Greg's Gold and Idiot Proof.
Recommendation: Back Smokey Stover to win $100 in the win market and $50 in the place market.

Mile: We all know the deal with Excellent Art. He's plainly good enough, but stall 13 is a huge concern and it would be folly to back him then whinge if he runs into traffic trouble. Nobiz Like Shobiz and After Market head the home challenge, but Jeremy's best form gives him a solid place chance and Frankie is one from one on him.
Recommendation: Back Jeremy to win $150 in the win market and $50 in the place market. Lay Excellent Art for $50 in the win market.

Distaff: A host of proven Grade 1 performers for by far the toughest puzzle on the card. A searing pace looks likely, which could play to the strengths of the Gazelle winner Lear's Princess. Indian Vale will be up with the speed, but her stablemate Unbridled Belle pipped her at Belmont and should go well again.
Recommendation: Too close to call.

Turf: Even money may not be the greatest value about Dylan Thomas, but he has beaten Red Rocks emphatically twice this season and can do so again even allowing that the latter won this race last year and is back on Lasix and Bute now. English Channel and the ageless Better Talk Now filled the placings last year, and if Dylan is on song a piece of the minor money is all they can hope for again.
Recommendation: Back Dylan Thomas to win $100.

Classic: Can George Washington bounce back on the biggest stage of all? I doubt it even though the money has come for him again, while Lawyer Ron's headstrong nature could leave him vulnerable late. Hard Spun's smooth travelling style gives him clear appeal as back to lay material, but Any Given Saturday and Street Sense can come to the fore late. Any Given Saturday's commanding defeat of Curlin in the Haskell here earns him the narrow vote, but Street Sense is definite saver material given that he thrives on the big days and has looked magnificent at exercise this week.
Recommendation: Back Any Given Saturday to win $250 and Street Sense to win $150. Back Hard Spun to win $250 and lay him to save the stake at 4.5 in running. Lay George Washington for $80 in the place market.

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redd | 27 October 2007

I would like to know if Mr Cunningham is following his own advice ? If so I am not sure he will have any money left come the classic !
Good luck if you are following this guys advice,
But staking 73% of a $1000 bank is surely the road to the poor house ?
Hill16 | 27 October 2007

For the superstitious out there, Dylan Thomas' (The Poet) birth date was.... 27th October!
redd | 28 October 2007

I rest my case..... follow this guy to the poor house !!!!!!