Britain’s challenge for the Breeders’ Cup at Del Mar strengthened significantly on Thursday when Ribchester, the leading miler in Europe this season, was given the go-ahead to line up for the Mile in California in nine days’ time by Richard Fahey, his trainer.
Ribchester was beaten a length by Persuasive in the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes at Ascot last Saturday, when the soft going did not play to his strengths, but he has recovered swiftly from his exertions there and is sure to enjoy the much quicker ground when the Breeders’ Cup is staged in San Diego for the first time next week. He has taken three Group One races already this season, including a one‑and‑a-quarter length success in the Queen Anne Stakes at Royal Ascot in June.
The start for the Mile is halfway down Del Mar’s short home straight and a good draw will be important if Ribchester and his jockey, William Buick, are not going to be caught wide on the tight bends. With several other European entries for the race, including Roly Poly and Decorated Knight, more likely to opt for alternative engagements at the meeting, however, Ribchester will be the clear leader of the overseas challenge to the best US‑based turf miler, World Approval.
“He has kept his coat, he looks a picture and clearly he wants to go,” Fahey, who trains Ribchester for Godolphin, told the operation’s website on Thursday. “He has done everything but tell me himself that he should be on the plane to California. As a trainer, after a run like that [at Ascot] you’re probably looking for a reason not to take him, but I couldn’t find it. He’s in great order and he’s eating well.”
Ribchester is the 7-2 second favourite for the Mile behind Mark Casse’s five-year-old World Approval, who spent much of his career running at middle-distance trips until reverting to a mile this season and immediately showing improved form to win two Grade One events.
World Approval can be backed at 5-2 to win what the betting suggests might turn into a head-to-head, as there is no other contender with a first‑preference entry in the race available at shorter than 10-1. “I rode out there about 26 years ago,” Fahey said, “and it’s a typical American track. You don’t know [how he will adapt] and it’s hard to replicate it, but there’s no reason why he shouldn’t.
“I think the draw will be very important, but then it is wherever you go. You’d like to be maybe not on the fence, but not on the wide outside, that’s not ideal. If I could pick it now, I’d be in four or five. I’ve not seen anything of World Approval, to be honest, but I’ll be looking at the videos over the next few days and he’s a talented horse.”
Cheltenham opens its doors for the first time in the jumps season with a seven‑race card on Friday, the first afternoon of the two-day Showcase meeting. Sceau Royal, who finished sixth behind Buveur D’Air in the Champion Hurdle in March, will attempt to maintain an unbeaten record over fences when he lines up for the second race, a two-mile novice chase.
Alan King’s five-year-old is top-priced at 25-1 for the Arkle Trophy at next year’s Cheltenham Festival, as is Movewiththetimes, the runner-up in last season’s Betfair Hurdle, who will make his fencing debut in the same contest.
Friday’s tips, by Greg Wood
Cheltenham
2.00 Brillare Momento 2.35 Movewiththetimes 3.10 Potters Story 3.45 Black Corton 4.20 Presenting Julio (nb) 4.55 Dans Le Vent 5.30 Cool Macavity
Doncaster
1.20 Che Bella 1.50 Mrs Sippy, 2.25 Breath Caught 3.00 Epic Fantasy 3.35 Red Pike 4.10 Golden Birthday 4.45 Ajman King 5.20 Ludorum (nap)
Newbury
1.10 Proschema 1.40 George Of Hearts, 2.15 Mandalayan 2.50 Precious Ramotswe 3.25 Time To Study 4.00 Executive Force 4.35 Baron Bolt 5.10 Graceful Lady
Wolverhampton
5.45 Princess Way 6.15 About Glory, 6.45 Story Minister 7.15 Romanor 7.45 Deyaarna 8.15 Luang Prabang 8.45 Jack Blane 9.15 Sentinel
