BREEDERS’ CUP FILLY

& MARE TURF

(1m 1f, turf, 9.00pm)

THIS race is over a shorter distance than usual. O’Brien’s Rhododendron should not be bothered by the switch back in distance; we shouldn’t forget she was an unlucky second to Winter in the 1,000 Guineas at Newmarket.

Last time, she won a messy renewal of the Group 1 Prix de l’Opera on Arc day (Wuheida and Queen’s Trust behind), pouncing from off the pace and holding on well. Concerns are raised by two previous disappointing efforts, however. Worse still, she’s drawn stall 14 on the far outside.

Sir Michael Stoute’s Queen’s Trust got up to beat the home favourite Lady Eli at Santa Anita 12 months ago and both are back. The cut back in distance favours the American, you would think. She is the type to do the absolute minimum and more dominant than her narrow winning margins suggest.