SANDRACER.COM ~ ALL WEATHER RACING BLOG

Sundays live racing on ITV3 is a decent enough afternoon of National Hunt action from Cheltenham and Fontwell, with coverage scheduled from 12:30 to 15:30.

❖ It's sunday again and we have racing on terrestrial TV to watch, with Cheltenham providing the main attraction alongside jumping action from Fontwell.

❖ The afternoons coverage features five races from Cheltenham, including the prestigious Greatwood Handicap Hurdle ~ one of the highlights of the November racing calendar.

❖ So coming our way is a competitive looking card of novice and handicap chases, with plenty of interest throughout the afternoon for punters. If you're like me and can't get a handle on the novice races, let them run and keep an eye on them for the future..

❖ The one race from Fontwell on the televised schedule, with the Southern National Handicap Chase (video), looks too difficult for me to fathom betwise.

❖ ITV3's live racing coverage runs from 12:30 until 15:30. This is the full scheduled line-up for this afternoon.

Related Page: Grand National Replay Videos & Historical Data Archive Hub ➜

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.