Breeders' Cup Turf tips: Timeform's expert verdict

• Timeform's guide to the Breeders' Cup Turf

Breeders' Cup Turf
21:50 Santa Anita, Saturday
Live on ITV4

1. Shahryar (Hideaki Fujiwara/ Cristian Demuro)

High-class horse who won a Japanese Derby two years ago Sheema Classic last season. Also a good second in Japan Cup but well held both starts this term.

2. Onesto (Fabrice Chappet/ Maxime Guyon)

Won the Grand Prix de Paris at Longchamp last year when also second in the Irish Champion. Seen just three times this term but better than ever when a fast-finishing third in Arc at Longchamp. Firmly in the mix on that form.

3. Gold Phoenix (Philip d'Amato/ Juan Hernandez)

Grade 1 winner over 1m here in March and picked up a couple of Grade 2s at Del Mar (9f/11f). Only fifth in Grade 2 here last time, however, and was well held in this last year.

4. Bolshoi Ballet (Aidan O'Brien/ John Velazquez)

Belmont Derby winner in 2021 and first win since in Grade 1 at Saratoga in good style in August. Likely to find a few too strong here, however.

5. Auguste Rodin (Aidan O'Brien/ Ryan Moore)

Ran no sort of race in 2000 Guineas on return and again in King George at Ascot but won Derby at Epsom (by half a length from King of Steel) and Irish Derby in between and firmly back on track when winning Irish Champion at Leopardstown. Big shout for yard that has won this a record six times.

6. Get Smokin (Non Runner)

7. Broome (Aidan O'Brien/ Dylan Browne McMonagle)

Won the Dubai Gold Cup at Meydan in March but has struggled since and easy to discard here. Headgear applied.

8. Up To The Mark (Todd Pletcher/ Irad Ortiz Jr.)

Much improved this year, completing hat-trick of Grade 1 wins in Turf Mile at Keeneland (off nearly four months, by short head from Master of The Seas, leading post). Stays 10f but this trip is an unknown.

9. Mostahdaf (John & Thady Gosden/ Jim Crowley)

Finally confirmed himself the top-notcher he'd long looked when impressively landing the Prince of Wales at Royal Ascot and fully confirmed that improvement when controlling the Juddmonte at York (10.2f). 10f looks ideal but this easy 12f probably within reach.

10. Adhamo (Chad Brown/ Flavien Prat)

Won United Nations Stakes at Monmouth in 2022 and third in Arlington Million and Canadian International both starts this term but firmly up against it here.

11. King of Steel (Roger Varian/ Frankie Dettori)

Massive improvement on return when finding only Auguste Rodin too good in Derby, going clear but collared late. Confirmed himself a high-class colt since and made the breakthrough at this level when coming from last in Champion Stakes at Ascot two weeks ago. Big player if this doesn't come too soon.

12. Balladeer (George Papaprodromou/ Victor Espinoza)

Improved of late, winning allowance race here in June, optional claimer at Kentucky Downs in September and Grade 2 John Henry Turf Championship Stakes here last month. This a massive ask, however.

13. War Like Goddess (William Bott/ Junior Alvarado)

Very smart mare who looked as good as ever when winning Joe Hirsch Turf Classic at Aqueduct (12f, good, 95/100) 28 days ago by two and three-quarter lengths. Decent third in this last year but this looks a stronger renewal.

Timeform Analyst's Verdict:

A strong renewal led by the Europeans, who look set to dominate again. MOSTAHDAF is arguably the best European horse at 10f and this easy 12f should be within his compass. Derby winner Auguste Rodin seems to have two ways of running but he rates a massive threat for a yard that has won this a record six times, while Onesto has had only three runs this year and his latest third in the Arc was a very promising run.

Timeform's 1-2-3:

1. Mostahdaf
2. Auguste Rodin
3. Onesto