SANDRACER.COM ~ ALL WEATHER RACING BLOG

Saturday's Breeders Cup Championship action on ITV4 brings together some of the finest horses in the world for a late evening of International/American racing. The card features four major Grade 1 contests, including the big money Breeders Cup Mile, the Distaff, the Breeders Cup Turf and the mega $7 million prize money Breeders Cup Classic.

❖ Breeders Cup Mile ❖ Defending champion Notable Speech (4/5) heads the betting for the Breeders Cup Mile, with Charlie Appleby's five-year-old looking to repeat last year's success. British challenger Lake Forest (8/1), trained by William Haggas, is an interesting alternative after an unlucky second over the same course and distance last time.

❖ The Distaff ❖ The Breeders Cup Distaff is arguably a clash between market leader Nitrogen (ev) and Chad Brown's progressive Fully Subscribed (13/8), who arrives on the back of three consecutive victories. The other 5 runners start at 14/1 all the way up to 66's.

❖ Breeders Cup Turf ❖ There is much European interest in the Breeders Cup Turf, where Aidan O'Brien has a particularly strong hand with Irish Derby winner Benvenuto Cellini (7/2) and the highly regarded Diamond Necklace (9/4), who comes here after a fine run in the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe. However, our Bay City Roller (8/1), trained by George Scott and ridden by Oisin Murphy, is another major contender following a successful season. Last year's surprise winner Ethical Diamond (10/1), trained by Willie Mullins, also returns to defend his crown.

❖ Classic ❖ The evening reaches its climax with the eagerly anticipated $7 million Breeders Cup Classic, featuring a possible two horse showdown between defending champion Forever Young (2/1) and American superstar Sovereignty (2/1). Japanese raider Forever Young is bidding to make history with a second consecutive Classic victory, but Sovereignty, last year's US Horse of the Year, will provide formidable opposition. Knightsbridge (7/2) could spoil the party, following an impressive victory in the Pacific Classic. A serious contender in what promises to be a spectacular finale to the 2 day Breeders Cup meeting.

❖ Racecards, betting odds and individual race previews for tonight's four contests are linked below.

Friday's Breeders Cup action on ITV4 gets underway at Keeneland with five Grade 1 contests featuring some of the most exciting two-year-olds in America and Europe. The opening night, billed as Future Stars Friday, runs from 18:30 to 22:00.

There is plenty of international interest, with our European challengers taking on the leading American juveniles. Libertango catches the eye in the opening Juvenile Turf Sprint (6:55), while Aidan O'Brien's Sun Goddess is an interesting contender in the Juvenile Fillies' Turf (8:15). Bob Baffert also has a strong hand, particularly with unbeaten Hughes in the Juvenile.

Friday's programme is just the opening act, however. The main Breeders Cup Championship Saturday takes place tomorrow, featuring nine further Grade 1 contests, including the Breeders Cup Mile, Turf, Distaff and the eagerly anticipated $7 million Breeders Cup Classic, which is scheduled for 22:16 UK time.

❖ Racecards, betting odds and individual race previews for tonight's five contests are linked below.

Sunday's live racing schedule on ITV1 and STV features action from Wexford, San Siro, Market Rasen and Galway, with coverage scheduled from 13:15 to 16:00.

This afternoon's ITV Racing card at Aintree has been abandoned due to high winds caused by Storm Boelo. The Halloween Family Fun Day meeting, featuring the William Hill Old Roan Chase, will not go ahead.

In a statement issued on Sunday morning, Aintree said overnight wind speeds had reached 44mph, with further significant winds forecast until at least early afternoon. The course confirmed that the safety of participants, visitors and teams was its priority. General admission ticket holders will be refunded, while hospitality customers will be contacted by the course.

Sunday's meeting at Market Rasen is set to go ahead as planned following an early inspection, although conditions will continue to be monitored.

With Aintree abandoned, the televised action includes two races from Wexford, two from San Siro, three from Market Rasen and one from Galway. Here is the scheduled line-up for this afternoon.