Cornelius Lysaght column

By Cornelius Lysaght BBC racing correspondent

Recent form demonstrated by members of the powerful Aidan O'Brien stable makes the European challenge on the $25.5m (£15.5m) Breeders' Cup meeting all the more intriguing.

O'Brien has racked up 21 Group One wins in 2008

Jetting into Santa Anita, California, is a team from Tipperary, Ireland, headed by multiple Group One winners Duke Of Marmalade, Henrythenavigator, Halfway To Heaven and Soldier Of Fortune.

Had this veritable army of equine talent invaded the 25th staging of the race meeting, say three months ago, you could have remarked with some certainty that the opposition should prepare for a rout.

However, after the gruelling campaigns in which they have starred, Duke Of Marmalade and Henrythenavigator have shown their vulnerable side of late.

'Duke' was not at his best when seventh behind Zarkava in the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, while 'Henry' - successful in four top-level races from May to July - has been beaten on his last two starts.

The pair are due to line up in the Breeders' Cup Classic against America's top money earner Curlin, whose victories have included this prize last year and the Dubai World Cup in March.

They look to be up against it in the mile-and-quarter long Classic which is being run on a Pro-Ride artificial track.

Duke of Marmalade has won five Group One races

The track is a replacement for the controversial dirt surface on which O'Brien's George Washington suffered a fatal injury last year at Monmouth Park.

Curlin, the outstanding performer of his type in the world, should collect now that injury has forced Big Brown, successful in two legs of the US Triple Crown, into retirement.

For O'Brien, Soldier Of Fortune, fresher after a summer break prior to finishing a fine third in the Arc, could be hard to beat in the Turf race when St Leger winner Conduit is rated the main danger.

Personally, I shall be saving a big cheer for Filly and Mare Turf hopeful Halfway To Heaven, something of an unsung heroine this year, and still in good form judged by a success at Newmarket early in the month.

O'Brien, number one trainer to the Coolmore racing and thoroughbred breeding empire, will also have high hopes for Westphalia (Juvenile Turf).

The champion trainer on either side of the Irish Sea, with 21 Group One victories, could still break the world record for top-level wins (25), but he will have to enjoy the most extraordinary two days this week.

606: DEBATE Curlin remains the one to beat in my eyes Woodmi1

A larger-than-usual 'Team Europe' of about 30 contenders has had its enthusiasm fuelled by the introduction of the Pro-Ride track and of a stringent new drugs policy, more in line with the rules at home.

Other names to look out for include two of Frankie Dettori's mounts Ravens Pass (Classic) and big fancy Sixties Icon (Marathon); France's talented filly Goldikova (Mile); and Coolmore's Bushranger, trained by David Wachman (Juvenile).

The last time that the Breeders' Cup, the nearest thing Flat racing has to football's World Cup tournament, was held in the home state of the movies (2003) 'Team Europe' had a fine old time taking on the Yanks.

Five years on, their lines have been learnt and perfected, and they can't wait for the director to shout 'action'.

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BREEDERS' CUP SCHEDULE

Friday (All times BST)

Filly & Mare Sprint 7f 2035

Juvenile Fillies' Turf 1m 2115

Juvenile Fillies 1m ½f 2155

Filly & Mare Turf 1m 2f 2235

Ladies' Classic 1m 1f 2315

Saturday

Marathon 1m 4f 1810

Turf Sprint 6½f 1850

Dirt Mile 1m 1930

Mile 1m 2015

Juvenile 1m ½f 2055

Juvenile Turf 1m 2135

Sprint 6f 2215

Turf 1m 4f 2300

Classic 1m2f 2345