O'Brien concerned with ground for Breeders' Cup

Aidan O'Brien admitted this morning that he is concerned about the very real prospect of testing ground for Dylan Thomas in tomorrow’s Breeders' Cup Turf at Monmouth Park.

Although the heavy rain of Thursday abated overnight, the local weather forecasters have predicted what could amount to a deluge this evening and that would spell bad news for the drifting Turf favourite.

Dylan Thomas was widely quoted as an even-money chance by the British bookmakers today but anyone wanting to back the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe winner will surely do better by waiting as conditions will not go back in his favour.

The colt was partnered by work rider Pat Lillis for his first sighting of the Monmouth Park turf course as O’Brien accompanied his star on the back of a pony.

After taking his horses back to the quarantine barn the trainer was in contemplatory mood when talking about Dylan Thomas, who is on the cusp of clinching the 'Horse Of The Year' accolade.

O’Brien pondered: “Dylan has such a long, low stride that soft ground is a disadvantage for him. He overcame it in the Arc but everyone knows he’s better on concrete. The ground out there is better than Longchamp at the moment and much depends on what happens tonight.”

If Dylan Thomas is to be blown off his perch tomorrow, then Brian Meehan’s Red Rocks looks the one most likely to do it.

The 2006 Turf hero cannot beat Dylan Thomas on the evidence of the formbook, but while the latter has endured quite a long and hard season, Red Rocks goes to post as fresh as paint.

Meehan ponied alongside his charge as they were one of the first out on the main track and afterwards the Manton trainer said: “He’s on very good terms with himself. He’s nice and relaxed and has done everything right.

“He just jogged a lap, then he cantered. He’ll do the same tomorrow.”

It will be fascinating to see what tactics Meehan opts for with Frankie Dettori’s mount and there is a suspicion Red Rocks will be better-suited by the tight turning course than the massive Dylan Thomas.

Meehan, whose charge will run on Lasix and Bute, added: “Last year it took him a bit of time to get into the swing of it. Tomorrow I think there will be pace from the gate and that Dylan Thomas will be aggressive.

“My horse’s two or three best runs have been from off the pace, so why change?”