Duke and Henry lead O’Brien’s Breeders’ Cup charge

AIDAN O’BRIEN has confirmed Johnny Murtagh is likely to take the ride aboard five-times Group One winner Duke Of Marmalade in the forthcoming Breeders’ Cup meeting, which gets under way at Santa Anita on Friday week.

The Ballydoyle master has a crack team of 10 possibles to run at the two-day Californian meeting as he chases his first Breeders’ Cup win since High Chaparral scored in 2003.

Leading the charge are King George VI winner Duke Of Marmalade and dual Classic hero Henrythenavigator, who will be attempting a mile and a quarter and – like his stablemate – racing on the new Pro-Ride surface for the first time on October 25.