Insight and trainer views as Highland Reel bids to defend Turf title

11.37 Del Mar
Longines Breeders' Cup Turf (Grade 1) | 1m4f | 3yo+ | turf

There are passenger planes that have criss-crossed the planet less frequently than Highland Reel, a teak-tough jet-setter who bids to defend his brilliant victory in last year's Breeders' Cup Turf.

This will be Highland Reel's 26th start in a career that has taken him to seven countries on four different continents, accumulating more than £6 million in prize-money along the way.

From once being regarded as one of Aidan O'Brien's second-tier stars, he has established himself in the Ballydoyle pecking order, and the hearts of racing fans, as one of his generation's pre-eminent international racehorses.

This season has been relatively quiet by Highland Reel's standards, however – just five starts in two different countries, including wins at Royal Ascot and the Derby meeting, with his latest start coming on ground softer than ideal in the Champion Stakes.

"We're happy with him," said O'Brien. "Ryan [Moore] minded him at Ascot, he kept him out on good ground and didn't hit him – he couldn't have given him an easier run, really. He needed to have a run before he came here.

"He had a little bit of setback after the King George in July, which is why he didn't race for a while, and he was nearly ready to run in a few races like the Arc but only just about, and we wanted to get a run into him so that's why he went for Ascot.

"He'll go forward, he always does. He's happy not to lead but he's happy to lead too."

Highland Reel is joined by Cliffs Of Moher and Seventh Heaven, giving O'Brien a notably strong hand in a race he has claimed a record six times.

O'Brien added: "We're happy with both of them too. Fast ground and a mile and a half will be Seventh Heaven's thing, but whether the track is too tight we're not sure as her best form is on big galloping tracks. The track will suit Cliffs Of Moher well.

"Cliffs Of Moher will probably be mid-division and Seventh Heaven always takes her time."

Highland Reel pros Tough as you like and back on a sound surface after unsuitably soft going at Ascot. Should be primed for a huge run

Highland Reel cons Despite being given an easy time by Moore at Ascot, that was a race run on a demanding surface that may have left a mark

TOP EUROPEAN-TRAINED MONEY EARNERS (£)

Cirrus Des Aigles 6,179,490
Highland Reel 6,148,572
Treve 6,002,918
Gloria De Campeao 5,898,547
Dunaden 5,271,584
Found 5,058,029
Red Cadeaux 4,998,408
Postponed 4,995,978
St Nicholas Abbey 4,954,590
Flintshire 4,888,184

Fast ground set to suit Decorated Knight

Saleh Al Homaizi & Imad Al Sagar's colt was a surprise 25-1 winner of the Irish Champion Stakes on his latest start but that was a third Group 1 victory this year, following wins in the Jebel Hatta at Meydan and Tattersalls Gold Cup at the Curragh.

Trainer Roger Charlton said: "We've been wanting fast ground all year with this horse, who is a very good mover, and it's never stopped raining.

Decorated Knight: gets his ground for the first time this yearCredit: Alan Crowhurst

"A lot of the time he's run when the ground hasn't been suitable – even Dubai was desperate ground.

"I was concerned the Irish Champion ground would be too soft but he probably had the pick of the ground coming down the middle of the track. Fast ground is definitely what suits him."

Decorated Knight has never raced beyond an extended ten furlongs, when fifth behind Ulysses in the Juddmonte International, but Charlton is optimistic his contender will see out the trip.

"Most Galileos stay," he said. "I thought he got the mile and a quarter well at Leopardstown in the Irish Champion Stakes and he wasn't stopping. He's got every chance of getting the trip but until we try we won't know."

Speaking on Thursday morning, Charlton was particularly pleased with his charge's demeanour while working at Del Mar.

He said: "Decorated Knight can get a little bit lively on raceday and, ever since I joined him here, I've been focused on keeping him as calm as possible. I thought it was very noticeable today how relaxed he was – there's no sign of any sweating."

Pros Three-time Group 1 winner who sets a serious level of form and will appreciate this sounder surface

Cons Has a bit to find with the leading European contenders and unproven over the trip

What the rest say

Andre Fabre, trainer of Talismanic
He had a slight hold up that prevented him travelling for the Sword Dancer and the Breeders’ Cup is obviously not an easy race for him. But he's fresh and he's not an out-and-out stayer, he has a turn of foot, so if there's some pace he should go well.

Phil D'Amato, trainer of Hunt
He loves this turf course. He’s won two stakes in a row on it. Flavien [Prat, rider] breezed him on the course last Sunday and said he thought he got hold of it really well and was full of energy. We know it’s a very deep field with some really nice horses, but one thing we have going for us is that we know this horse loves this turf course. Hunt drew pretty far out in the 11 post, but he’s got tactical speed so I’m not too worried.

Joel Rosario, rider of Beach Patrol
He’s a tricky horse to ride. We've teamed up a couple times and he seems to get along with me. He’s been training good in the morning, too. He’s tough in the gate, so you have to make sure you get him out. That may be the main thing, because once he’s out he’s a good mover and puts you there. He’ll run all day and has no problem with the distance.

Tom Albertrani, trainer of Sadler's Joy
The Europeans seem the ones you’ve got to beat, but I have a lot of confidence in my horse. He’s run some big races and he’s got a great closing kick, I think as good as anything in the race.

Jon Lees brings you all the news and colour from Del Mar on Friday, live on racingpost.com from 8pm