Breeders' Cup Classic bid an option for Roaring Lion, John Gosden reveals

The Breeders' Cup Classic, run on dirt at Churchill Downs on November 3, is an option for Roaring Lion, trainer John Gosden revealed on Sunday.

Speaking at the Newmarket Open Weekend, he said of the recent Irish Champion Stakes winner: "I'm very happy with him and we're pointing towards the Champion Stakes at Ascot on October 20.

"The Breeders' Cup comes pretty sharply after Champions Day. If it was heavy he wouldn't run at Ascot, but if it was good to soft he'd run as he's won on it before.

"If he went to the Breeders' Cup, it could be the mile and a half on turf or we could look at the Classic on dirt. He's a mile-and-a-quarter horse so you'd consider the Classic as well as the turf.

"The mile and a half around three bends is not that different to a stiff mile and a quarter uphill at Ascot."

Roaring Lion is 3-1 second favourite for the Turf and 16-1 for the Classic.

Stablemate Too Darn Hot, meanwhile, an impressive winner of the Champagne Stakes last time, is likely to run in the Darley Dewhurst Stakes on October 13, Gosden confirmed.

Members can read the latest exclusive interviews, news analysis and comment available from 6pm daily on racingpost.com