Breeders' Cup Mile 2016: Timeform's runner-by-runner guide

Breeders' Cup Mile 2016
Santa Anita
Saturday November 5, 23:40 BST

1. What A View (Kenneth Black) Best effort came when winning Grade 1 Frank E. Kilroe Mile Stakes in March. Below form following a six-month break in the Shadwell Turf Mile Stakes at Keeneland last time, however, and even a return to his best would leave him found wanting in this company.

2. Alice Springs (Aidan O'Brien) Has progressed into a very smart filly this year, winning three of her last four starts, all at Group 1 level, including the Matron Stakes at Leopardstown in September and the Sun Chariot Stakes at Newmarket last time. Already proven on these shores (second in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf last season), she looks a major player.

3. Spectre (M. Munch) Acquitted herself well at the highest level in France this season, making the frame in the Prix Jean Prat at Chantilly, the Prix Jacques le Marois at Deauville (two and a quarter lengths fourth to Ribchester) and Prix du Moulin de Longchamp at Chantilly (one and a quarter lengths second to Vadamos) on her last three starts. More needed here though.

4. Miss Temple City (Graham Motion) Landed her second Grade 1 when winning the Shadwell Turf Mile Stakes at Keeneland (beat Ironicus by a head, leading over 1f out and just holding on) last time. Needs to step forward again here, however.

5. Tourist (William Mott) Consistent performer who gained a deserved success at Grade 1 level in the Fourstardave Handicap at Saratoga in August. Has been below form on both of his previous attempts in this race (including at this track in 2014), however, and opposable once again.

6. Photo Call (Todd Pletcher) Sprang a surprise under an enterprising ride when making all to win the ten-runner First Lady Stakes at Keeneland last time by two and three-quarter lengths from Tepin (allowed too much rope by rivals). Unlikely to find circumstances so favourable here, especially with fellow habitual front runner Midnight Storm amongst the opposition, and opposable as a result.

7. Dutch Connection (Charles Hills) Landed biggest win of career to date when taking Group 2 Lennox Stakes at Goodwood in July (by one and three-quarter lengths from Home of the Brave), suited by the strong pace. Below form in Prix Maurice de Gheest at Deauville and Prix du Moulin de Longchamp last two starts, however, and needs to bounce back.

8. Tepin (Mark Casse) Capped remarkable transformation last season with a win in this race (by two and a quarter lengths from Mondialiste) and has carried her progress into 2016, winning her first six starts (including the Jenny Wiley by five lengths and the Queen Anne at Royal Ascot). Allowed Photo Call too much rope in the First Lady Stakes last time and expected to reverse that form here; should put in a bold bid to defend her crown.

9. Ironicus (Claude McGaughey) Improved performer at five years of age and has posted two very smart performance on last two starts, runner-up in both the Manhattan Stakes at Belmont (beaten one and three-quarter lengths by Flintshire) and Shadwell Turf Mile Stakes at Keeneland (beaten a head by Miss Temple City, just failing after still having plenty to do over a furlong out). Place contender here.

10. Limato (Henry Candy) Very versatile performer who won the July Cup (six furlongs) at Newmarket and the Prix de la Foret (seven furlongs) at Chantilly last time, as well as posting a creditable second in the Nunthorpe Stakes (five furlongs) behind Mecca's Angel in-between. Only try at a mile was in the Lockinge Stakes on his return, and certainly worth another crack at it, especially on this sharp track.

11. Ring Weekend (Graham Motion) Won Grade 2 Bernard Baruch Handicap at Saratoga in September but has been below form in last two renewals of this race and likely to be found wanting at this level once again.

12. Hit It A Bomb (Aidan O'Brien) Looked a potential classic contender when winning Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf at Keeneland last season, but not seen until August this season and has failed to build on his final two-year-old effort in three starts so far this term. Return to this sort of track could be a positive, but has a bit to prove at present.

13. Midnight Storm (Philip d'Amato) Front runner who completed a hat-trick this season in the Grade 2 Del Mar Mile Handicap last time. Faces competition for the lead here, however, and likely to come up short here.

14. Cougar Mountain (Aidan O'Brien) Enjoyed one of his good days when winning Group 2 Joel Stakes at Newmarket in September. Unable to match that next time, however, which is no surprise given his overall record.

Timeform Breeders' Cup Mile 1-2-3

1. Limato
2. Tepin
3. Alice Springs

Timeform Analyst's Verdict:

The extremely talented and versatile LIMATO should find this trip within range around this sharp track and on fast ground, so is marginally the call over last year's winner Tepin and the thriving three-year-old filly Alice Springs.