A day to savour on both sides of the pond

Maybe the glamour of Del Mar has something to do with it but there are more European runners at the Breeders’ Cup this year than at any time in the last decade.

The action kicks off tonight on the Californian coast and British and Irish interest centres around the Juvenile Turf and Juvenile Fillies’ Turf.

Mill Reef winner James Garfield is contesting favouritism in the Juvenile Turf and is the first Breeders’ Cup runner for trainer George Scott. Dewhurst runner-up Mendelssohn is among the opposition for Aidan O’Brien, whose Happily looks to have a strong chance in the Juvenile Fillies’ Turf.

There is plenty of fine racing before that though with Down Royal serving up a starter for Saturday’s Grade 1 JNwine.com Champion Chase as Supreme Novices’ Hurdle runner-up Melon tackles the WKD Hurdle for Willie Mullins.

In Britain it’s bubbling up too as Wetherby kicks off its two-day Charlie Hall Chase meeting and Newmarket hosts the Listed Bosra Sham Stakes.

Going report

Newmarket - first race 12.35pm
Good to firm, good in places (GoingStick 8.1)

Down Royal - 12.40
Soft, yielding in places

Wetherby - 12.50
Good to soft, soft in places (GoingStick: 6.2 hurdles; 5.2 chase)

Race distances:
Race 1, 4 & 6: +27 yards
Race 2: +36 yards
Race 3 & 5: +18 yards

Uttoxeter - 1.00
Chase: good to soft; hurdles: good, good to soft in places (GoingStick: 7.5 hurdles; 7.3 chase)

Race distances:

Race 1 & 3:+83 yards
Race 2: +124 yards
Race 5: +165 yards

Dundalk - 5.30
Standard

Newcastle - 5.45
Standard

Del Mar - 9.25
Dirt: fast; turf: firm

Market movers

2.00 Wetherby: Eneko into 2-1 (from 100-30)

2.20 Newmarket: Consequences into 7-4 (from 5-2)

2.35 Wetherby: Sametegal into 9-4 (from 11-4)

What to back

Nick Watts has one he fancies at Newmarket...

What to read

Racing journalist of the year Tom Kerr sets the scene from Del Mar as the Breeders' Cup kicks into life.

While we're in the mood ten writers look wistfully back in time to share their favourite Breeders' Cup races.

What to watch

Bruce Millington is joined by Mark Langdon and Henry Hardwicke on the Football Postcast as they preview the weekend's Premier League action and reveal their best bets.

The best of Racing Post Sport

Wolves bounced back from their defeat at QPR with victory at Norwich to go back to the top of the Championship. Can they extend their advantage against Fulham in the Friday night game at Molineux?

Final thought

Saturday's are great but there's something special about a Friday packed with great racing. Bring it on!