'I'll be stunned if he doesn't win' - strong views as the panel takes aim at the Breeders' Cup and the Charlie Hall

Wanting tips for the weekend racing? Subscribers to Racing Post+ Tipping get unbeatable insight from the Racing Post’s top experts like Tom Segal and Paul Kealy every week, and you can sign up now for just £22.46 for your first six months - that’s a 25% discount.

Are you with or against Minnie Hauk in the Breeders' Cup Turf at Del Mar (9.41)?

Phill Anderson, tipster I can let her win at even money after enduring a pretty tough race in the Arc and the one that tempts me is Goliath. He's steadily coming back to the boil, gaining compensation for a narrow defeat at Deauville with a Group 1 success in Germany, and if he can get back to the level of last season's King George success, he'll outrun odds of 8-1. 

Shelley Dwyer, jockeys' agent With. Minnie Hauk appears to be a tough, classy filly that handles all ground conditions and the age and fillies' allowance will make her hard to beat. 

Ryan McCue, Betfair At the prices I'd be against her. With a dual winner of the race in Rebel's Romance in opposition to her, I think layers will have every chance of getting her beaten. Rebel's Romance has shown no signs of slowing down in his elder years this season and experience of racing around a track like Del Mar may prove vital. 

Jonny Pearson, Racing Post handicapper It isn't a race I'm interested in having a bet in, but I would be a little disappointed and surprised if she wasn't to win. However, over the years we've seen many horses go from the Arc to the Breeders' Cup and find it difficult to win in the States, so for all she is the most likely winner, I won't be having a bet. 

Gareth Topham, commentator Minnie Hauk's had a great season – albeit a long season – and, while she's a major contender again, this is a different sort of test and she's a short enough price. Goliath appeals as an alternative. He's well drawn for one who likes to race up with the pace, arrives in winning form, and his bloodless King George victory from last year still lives in the memory. If he produces something along those lines then he'll run a huge race. 

Who else do you like on a fantastic night in California?

Anderson Forever Young and Fierceness raced too close to a frenetic gallop when filling the places in last season's Classic (10.25) and I can see the former going a couple of places better. His Dubai World Cup run is best ignored having left the impression he was still feeling the effects of a heroic Saudi Cup effort and stall one might not be ideal for his reopposing rival Fierceness. 

Dwyer Sahlan goes in the Breeders' Cup Mile (11.05) and has been improving at a rate of knots of late. Whilst he hasn't encountered ground this quick before, he looks to have a serious chance for the excellent Francis Graffard team.

McCue I was disappointed Notable Speech couldn't get the job done last year in the Mile (11.05) but I think he'll gain compensation this time around. I liked his prep run coming into the race more this time and with the colt being a year older and wiser, plus having experience round the track, hopefully he can win. 

Pearson Straight No Chaser looks to have a great chance in the dirt Sprint (8.21). He was a good winner of the race 12 months ago at the same venue, and although he's been a little disappointing on his last two starts, he shaped with plenty of promise and should be spot on for this. A return to the level of last year should see him make it back-to-back successes in the race. 

Topham I saw Diamond Rain at Newcastle in June when she won the Hoppings and she takes a while to wind up but is usually very strong at the finish. It was a similar story at Woodbine last time when she just failed to catch She Feels Pretty. Billy Loughnane is on board for the Fillies & Mare Turf (12.25), she's well drawn in stall six, and I think she'll stay on strongly again to win this. 

Give us your verdict on the Charlie Hall Chase (2.57) at Wetherby

Anderson This race will be a stepping stone for most of these but that's not the case for last year's winner The Real Whacker. Wetherby's chase track suits a front-runner who can get into a rhythm, particularly when the ground is on the quick side and unlike four of his five rivals, The Real Whacker has had a prep run. 

Dwyer Unlike some in the race, The Real Whacker has had a pipe opener and gets his ground, so he looks value to defend his crown for Patrick Neville and Brian Hughes.

McCue I think The Real Whacker looks a little overpriced. Last year's winner made a satisfactory comeback over hurdles at Perth at the end of September and you'd imagine this would have been the big early-season plan as he failed to win a race after he won this 12 months ago. He looks to have plenty in his favour for a repeat success. 

Pearson It isn’t a race I’m hugely excited for as it's the starting point for many of these runners. However, there's a lot of talent in the race and it'll be good to see the likes of Protektorat and Hewick once again. Protektorat should be good enough to win on form but with a hurdles run two weeks ago, Hewick might just have the fitness edge. 

Topham Tactically this could be fascinating as plenty like to go forward but a couple of them are generally campaigned over shorter trips these days. The Real Whacker jumped superbly when winning this last year and he doesn't necessarily have to lead. He's had a spin over hurdles at Perth recently, so has race-fitness on his side and, given he's proven here, I'm happy to side with him at the prices. 

Who else should we look out for at Wetherby?

Anderson Saligo Bay wasn't seen to best effect when last at this venue a few weeks ago and he looks like a major player off the same mark in the 2m handicap hurdle (3.30). This seven-year-old has barely run a bad race since joining Sam England and his win at Market Rasen in September is a solid piece of form. 

Dwyer Potters Charm looked very exciting before his season fell apart slightly in his last two runs, and it's interesting he's had a wind op since his last run. On the forecast decent ground he should go close in the West Yorkshire Hurdle (2.22).

McCue Take No Chances in the West Yorkshire Hurdle looks interesting. She was a winner on the card last season, albeit over two miles, but she has winning form over this sort of trip, so it shouldn't be an issue. The pipe opener at Chepstow last month will help and she could trouble the market principals. 

Pearson Strong Leader returns in the West Yorkshire Hurdle and should be winning in a race of this quality. He's ridden by the best jumps jockey in Britain in Sean Bowen, trained by Olly Murphy, who is flying, and I'll be stunned if he doesn't win.

Topham Saligo Bay (3.30) is having a fine few months and won a hot race at Market Rasen at the end of September. He backed that up with a decent run in defeat at Wetherby last time. This promises to suit better and he's in off a light weight. I think he'll go close against several who are returning from summer breaks. 

And who takes your eye at Ascot?  

Anderson This is another chase track that suits front runners and hat-trick-seeking Sans Bruit may be able to obtain an uncontested lead with no other obvious front runners in the field of the 2m1f handicap chase (2.05). He was in the form of his life at the back-end of last season and Paul Nicholls has had plenty of his string ready to fire first up this campaign.

Dwyer I'm looking forward to seeing L'Eau du Sud back in action (2.05). It's interesting they are taking in a handicap with him and with Tristan Durrell taking off a valuable 3lb, he should take a bit of beating.

McCue I feel Teddy Blue could run a decent race (2.05) at a double-figure price. He was a dual winner for the yard last season before finishing well beaten at Plumpton in April. I still think a mark of 131 is workable and off a nice low weight here, he can outrun his odds. 

Pearson The 2m1f handicap chase (2.05) is an interesting contest and I'm going to take a chance on an improving mare in Shakeyatailfeather. She's been put up 8lb for an emphatic success last time but comes here race fit and has 7lb claimer Harry Atkins to negate some of the rise in the handicap. The six-year-old is still improving and can run a big race at a bit of a price. 

Topham Shakeyatailfeather (2.05) has a terrific attitude and won easily at Kelso last month. She's gone up 8lb for that, but Harry Atkins takes 7lb off which looks a good move. This should be a well-run affair over a stiff two miles, so the fact that this mare stays much further will be no bad thing. She's a decent each-way price. 

Give us one to watch on Sunday.

Anderson The ground is going to be testing at the Curragh for the 5f handicap (12.55) that is going to suit Mickey The Steel, who is always at his best with plenty of cut. He's not had his ground often this term and a 2lb rise for a narrow defeat at Navan last time won't be a problem given how well treated he is on his form from this time last season. 

Dwyer Handstands was a horse I loved last season and back at two and a half miles I think he'll take all the beating in the Colin Parker at Carlisle (2.37).

McCue Pralognan looks one to keep on side in the 2m handicap hurdle (1.10) at Cork. He was raised only 5lb for winning his last hurdles start at Downpatrick and this looks a very winnable race.

Pearson The Grade 1 Tenno Sho (Autumn) (6.40) takes place in Tokyo on Sunday morning and it's usually a good race, recently having been won twice by Equinox. There might not be another Equinox in the field but it's sure to be a great contest once again. 

Topham Inis Oirr wouldn't be the most consistent, but he's always had plenty of ability and ran really well at Carlisle last time out, which would have put him spot-on for the 3m2f handicap chase (3.12) back at the track. This race looks more competitive, but he has race-fitness on his side. He stays all day and remains on a mark of 117, which is lower than the last mark he won off.

Read more on Saturday's big-race action:

'We have fitness on our side and a few of them are having their first run' - Shark Hanlon lays down gauntlet to Hewick's Charlie Hall rivals 

Will race fitness trump class edge? Analysis and quotes for Saturday's three big betting races at Ascot 

Can Down Royal king Envoi Allen claim a historic success? 

Champion Hurdle winner Golden Ace set to return against just two rivals at Wetherby if 'the ground is safe' 

Will it be plain sailing for Minnie Hauk or has old warrior Rebel's Romance got something left in his locker? 

'He's drawn well and I feel he'll be a big player' - Europe's top hopes as they chase a clean sweep of Saturday's turf races  

Can Sierra Leone sign off in style? Last year's 1-2-3 headline quality Breeders' Cup Classic  

Subscribe to Racing Post+ Tipping and get 25% off your first six months! Available to new subscribers purchasing Racing Post+ Tipping using code ALL256 through the Racing Post website. First six payments will be charged at £22.56, subscription renews at full monthly price thereafter. To cancel please contact us at least seven days before subscription is due to renew.