Cecil hoping for Cup first

Cecil: Hopeful

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Henry Cecil is hopeful his three Breeders' Cup runners will all finish in the frame at Santa Anita.

The trainer, remarkably yet to saddle a winner at the American showpiece, runs Midday (Filly & Mare Turf), Father Time (Marathon) and Twice Over (Classic) at next month's two-day meeting.

"In the past I've only taken one horse at a time, this time I'm taking three. They all belong to the Prince (Khalid Abullah) and he loves the Breeders' Cup," the trainer told At The Races.

"'I've always found it difficult as it's so late in the year. Horses have had a long season and the travelling doesn't make it easy.

"However hopefully the three of them will run really well. I'd like to think they'll all be in the first three. Whether they win or not is another matter".

Twice Over arguably faces the stiffest task against Rip Van Winkle in the Classic. He has won his last three races, culminating in an emotional victory in the Champion Stakes last time.

He races on the Pro-Ride surface for the first time on Saturday week but that does not concern Cecil.

"I expect he'll like it," the trainer said. "It was lovely to win the Champion Stakes but he likes a bit of give in the ground. To run like that on that faster ground, I'd like to think he'll be even better on the surface in America."

Father Time runs in the Marathon - but Cecil laments the fact it's a warmer heat than 12 months ago.

"Last year it was more like a handicap," he said. "This is a good horse and he travels well. If we can ride him in the right way, he'll give a good account of himself. He has a good turn of foot."

Midday finished third last time out in the Prix de l'Opera at Longchamp, which was a prep race for Santa Anita.

"She's still growing and getting much stronger. I gave her a break with the Breeders' Cup in mind," Cecil said.

"I gave her six easy weeks and I mistimed it. I was a week behind and in the Opera she came there to win and got tired in the last furlong.

"After the race I knew I'd got it wrong as she was really heaving which she never does. At home she was doing things so easily, she was only just doing enough. She needed that race."