O’brien eyes fifth Turf prize

● Anthony Van Dyck bids for glory at Churchill Downs

Aidan O’brien is anticipating a big run from Anthony Van Dyck in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf at Churchill Downs today, as he seeks what would be a deserved big-race victory.

The Galileo colt has kept top company since winning the Group Two Futurity Stakes in August, finding only Quorto too good in the National Stakes at the Curragh and finishing a highly-creditable third to Too Darn Hot in the Dewhurst at Newmarket.

O’brien – seeking his fifth win in the race, most recently striking with Mendelssohn 12 months ago – said: “Anthony Van Dyck came out of the Dewhurst so well.

“He will stay middle distances, but it’s no problem running over a mile and he’s in very good form.

“This is a tough race at the end of a tough campaign, but will stand him in good stead for next year.”

Quorto’s trainer Charlie Appleby has been delighted with the improvement shown by Line Of Duty, who was last seen landing a Group Three at Chantilly.

The Godolphin trainer saw subsequent Derby hero Masar beaten in this contest 12 months ago, and said of this year’s representative: “Line Of Duty has come out of his Group Three at Chantilly well.

“He has gained plenty of experience, although this is a step up in class.

“We feel he has got the right sort of profile for the race.”

Tom Dascombe’s Chesham Stakes scorer Arthur Kitt and Mark Johnston’s Marie’s Diamond are other UK raiders.

Appleby has high hopes for La Pelosa in the Juvenile Fillies Turf, with the experienced filly arriving in Kentucky on the back of a win in the Grade One Natalma Stakes at Woodbine.

He said: “The only disappointing run she had was at Newmarket in the Duchess of Cambridge when she nearly got knocked over – but up until then, she had been very consistent.

“I feel with these races at this time of year, sometimes it is horses that have the experience like she has have a potential advantage.”