Breeders' Cup Turf 2016
Santa Anita
Saturday November 5, 22:22 GMT
1. Ralis (Doug O'Neill) Won maiden here and Grade 1 Hopeful Stakes at Saratoga (by five and three-quarter lengths from Magna Light, leading early in straight) in 2015. Hasn't built on that this season though and a mountain to climb here.
2. Da Big Hoss (Michael Maker) Wasn't discredited when sixth to Found in this race at Keeneland last year and has enjoyed another successful season in 2016, winning Grade 3 event at Sam Houston Park, Grade 2 Elkhorn Stakes at Keeneland, valuable listed event at Belmont and Grade 3 American St Leger at Arlington (by one and three-quarter lengths from Clondaw Warrior). Consistent and likable, but has been doing his winning at lower levels.
3. Ectot (Todd Pletcher) Won Prix de Fontainebleau and Prix Niel at Longchamp in 2014 when trained in France by Ellie Lellouche. Just three starts for current yard and seemingly back to best when winning four-runner Joe Hirsch Turf Classic at Belmont last time by five lengths from a below-par Flintshire, dictating the pace and keeping on well. May struggle to uphold that form now back on faster ground.
4. Flintshire (Chad Brown) Runner-up on five occasions in 2015 when trained by Andre Fabre, including in Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe at Longchamp (for second year running, beaten two lengths by Golden Horn) and Hong Kong Vase at Sha Tin (one and a half lengths behind Highland Reel) on last two starts. Won first three starts for Chad Brown, namely Manhattan Stakes at Belmont as well as Grade 2 Bowling Green Handicap and Sword Dancer Invitational Stakes (readily by one and three-quarter lengths from re-opposing Money Multiplier), both at Saratoga. Below par on unsuitable ground when beaten by Ectot at Belmont last time and, having been trained for this race all season, likely to go very close.
5. Ashleyluvssugar (Peter Eurton) Good record at this track, winning here three times in 2015 and on his most recent 2016 start in the Grade 2 John Henry Turf Championship Stakes. Likely to fall short now upped in grade, however.
6. Mondialiste (David O'Meara) Twice successful at Grade 1 level on two North American raids in last year's Woodbine Mile and this year's Arlington Million. Yet to tackle a mile and a half, however, and has something to find on form with the principals here.
7. Ulysses (Sir Michael Stoute) Sent off at odds of just 8/1 for the Derby at Epsom earlier this season with just a maiden win to his name, but was disappointing there. Bounced back with smart win in Gordon Stakes at Goodwood next time, and then improved again despite being beaten at odds-on in Winter Hill Stakes at Windsor last time. Needs to find more but is unexposed and represents a trainer with an excellent record in this race.
8. Twilight Eclipse (Thomas Albertrani) Regular in this race, set to run in fourth consecutive renewal. Best effort when third in 2014 running behind Main Sequence (Flintshire in second) and ran to that sort of level when third to Flintshire in the Sword Dancer Stakes at Saratoga earlier this season. Will need others to underperform to get involved.
9. Money Multiplier (Chad Brown) Has improved over longer trips this year, winning allowance at Aqueduct in April and optional claimer at Saratoga in August. Also finished runner-up in three Grade 1 events, behind Wake Forest in Man O'War Stakes at Belmont, World Approval in United Nations Stakes at Monmouth and Flintshire in Sword Dancer Invitational Stakes at Saratoga (beaten readily by one and three-quarter lengths). More needed to reverse that form.
10. Found (Aidan O'Brien) Last year's winner is a fabulously consistent and durable filly who has contested seven Group 1s on her last seven starts and hasn't once finished out of the first two home. Highlight of her career when winning Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe (by one and three-quarter lengths from Highland Reel) on penultimate start, and will take the beating here again if able to reproduce that sort of form after a long season.
11. Texas Ryano (Carla Gaines) Career-best effort came in Grade 2 John Henry Turf Championship Stakes over a mile and a half here (half-length second of 10 to Ashleyluvssugar) but needs much more than that to be involved in this grade.
12. Highland Reel (Aidan O'Brien) Proven high-class globetrotter, winning Secretariat Stakes and Hong Kong Vase in 2015. Won King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot in July this season before good runner-up efforts in both the International Stakes at York and Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe at Chantilly (one and three-quarter lengths behind stablemate Found). Versatile when it comes to tactics (can lead) and one of the key players.
13. Metaboss (Philip d'Amato) Best effort when nose-second in Grade 2 Del Mar Handicap (behind Ashleyluvssugar) in August, but plenty to find with the principals now upped in grade.
Timeform Breeders' Cup Turf 1-2-3:
1. Flintshire
2. Found
3. Ulysses
Timeform Analyst's Verdict:
FLINTSHIRE has had this race on his radar all season for new trainer Chad Brown, and back on a firm surface, his potent turn of foot could prove the deciding factor, so he is marginally preferred to the admirably tough and consistent Found, who is bidding to defend her crown. Highland Reel looks sure to give his running again, but the highly-regarded Ulysses appeals as better each-way value.