Her draw is a worry (as it was last year at Santa Anita) but 'la mare magnifique' GOLDIKOVA can gain an unprecedented third Breeders' Cup success. Freddie Head is in relaxed mood ahead of the race and his superstar takes everything in her stride. She'd probably prefer a bit of juice in the ground but she should get the strong pace to chase here that she didn't really get in the Prix de la Foret, a race in which she was still able to muller her opposition. Proviso is on a roll, concluding with a win in the First Lady Stakes, whilst Get Stormy is held by Society's Chairman and Gio Ponti on their Shadwell Turf Mile Stakes run last month. The last-named looks a big danger as connections plump for this assignment rather than the Classic. His second to Debussy in the Arlington Million suggests he is eminently beatable however. The front-runner Sidney's Candy (who broke a course record on his only other turf start) will aim to become the first wire-to-wire winner since Lure in 1992. Last-year's fourth Court Vision has less than two lengths to find with Goldikova, and he looks more of a danger than Delegator. The main challenge to the French mare may come from Paco Boy, although he is nought from four against her and he has been dumped by his normal jockey in favour of a Friday night at Wolverhampton.
Beethoven (IRE) 3-1 (8-11) Prominent, 2nd halfway, led 2f out, ridden and headed 1 1/2f out, no extra from over 1f out, 6th of 7, 7l behind Gitano Hernando (9-2) at Dundalk 1m 3f Group 3 stks (3yo+) (1) pol in Oct.
Society's Chairman (USA) 18-1 (9-0) Bumped, willingly, 2nd of 6, 1l behind Gio Ponti (9-0) at Keeneland(USA) 1m Grp 1 (1) fm in Oct.
Gio Ponti (USA) 4-5fav (9-0) Bumped, ridden out, won at Keeneland(USA) 1m Grp 1 (1) fm in Oct beating Society's Chairman (9-0) by 1l, 6 ran.
Court Vision (USA) 7-1 (8-12) Blocked,surged to lead, won at Woodbine(USA) 1m Grp 1 (1) gd in Sep beating The Usual Q T (8-12) by 1 1/4l, 13 ran.
Delegator 6-4fav (9-3) Raced center held up, switched left over 2f out, headway when not much room over 1f out, ridden and stayed on to go 4th near finish, never able to challenge, 4th of 14, 3l behind Red Jazz (9-1) at Newmarket 7f Grp 2 (1) gs in Oct.
Paco Boy (IRE) 9-2 (9-2) Held up, headway to challenge over 1f out, couldn't catch winner, 2nd of 10, 1/2l behind Goldikova (8-11) at Longchamp(FR) 7f Grp 1 (1) sft in Oct.
Get Stormy (USA) 14-5 (9-0) Near rail, lacked bid, 4th of 6, 4 1/2l behind Gio Ponti (9-0) at Keeneland(USA) 1m Grp 1 (1) fm in Oct.
Sidney's Candy (USA) 7-5fav (8-9) Pulled,inside,driving, won at Del Mar(USA) 1m 3yo stk in Aug beating Kid Edward (8-3) by 6l, 8 ran.
Goldikova (IRE) 7-4fav (8-11) Led early, headed 2f out, regained initiative over 1f out, ran on well, won at Longchamp(FR) 7f Grp 1 (1) sft in Oct beating Paco Boy (9-2) by 1/2l, 10 ran.
Proviso 13-10fav (8-12) Drifted in 1/8 pl, won at Keeneland(USA) 1m flls Grp 1 (1) fm in Oct beating C S Silk (8-12) by 1/2l, 9 ran.
