Second Empire has the ability to win for O'Brien

Every year it seems a huge British contingent arrives at the Breeders' Cup convinced of its power and leaves seeking the comfort of a French security blanket. The same conviction exists now, except this time there is no French runner (a la Arazi or Miesque) for consolation should it all go wrong.

Instead, Aidan O'Brien's Second Empire (Mile) and Noel Meade's outsider Sunshine Street (Turf), along with a couple of German runners, will try and maintain the European challenge.

The Irish strike rate of two wins in the Mile (Royal Academy and Ridgewood Pearl) is a remarkably successful one compared to Britain's. A host of cross-channel champions have flopped in the Breeders' Cup including Dancing Brave, Zilzal, Warning etc.

Considering the ammunition fired, Britain's total of four successful hits looks very haphazard. But the belief is growing here that this year may be different. Of course that depends on who you listen to but the chances of the Irish National Stud-bound Desert Prince (Mile) and Royal Anthem (Turf) appear impressive.

Desert Prince is a three-time Group One winner who carries maximum stable confidence into today's race and looks to have the early pace to maintain a good position throughout. Contrast that with Second Empire who he has beaten three times. However, this time could be different. For one, if Second Empire pulls off the likely very quick pace he will be a pretty remarkable horse and secondly he has been pleasing his connections with how well he has settled in at Churchill Downs.

The 1996 winner Da Hoss looks best of the Americans but if Second Empire stays calm and gives himself a chance he has the innate ability to win. Royal Anthem has been all the buzz for the Turf, largely based on an eye-catching win in Canada. However, that was off a slow pace. He has had a slight setback here and he is such a big horse that the tight track will hardly be ideal. At short odds he looks worth opposing.

The Michael Dickinson runner Cetewayo, who has been training well, and Sunshine Street could surprise a few people on his favoured firm ground. For the Americans the big race is the Classic which features the top three horses in the country with - Skip Away, Silver Charm and Gentlemen.

Godolphin's dual King George winner Swain is also a player on his Dubai World Cup second to Silver Charm. Skip Away, though, is the deal here in the States. He and Gentlemen cut each others throats in their last race allowing an outsider in, but any horse who practically runs away with Gerry Bailey in his work is exceptional and Skip Away can prove that here. Maybe Arch can spring a mild surprise and challenge him.

If there is one of those dangerous "good things" today it looks to be Bailey's mount Banshee Breeze in the Distaff. Nobody at Churchill Downs seems to be contemplating defeat and lurking just behind her in the good thing stakes seems to be Silverbulletday in the Juvenile Fillies. Red Sea, first time on Lasix, goes for Britain in the Juvenile Colts but maybe the front-running Buck Trout will be a better option. Af- firmed Success appears to be the professionals choice for the Sprint.

Conor O'Dwyer's appeal against a 21-day ban for allegedly not allowing Thats Fine By Me to run on its merits at Punchestown last Sunday will be heard by the Appeal and Referrals Committee in the Irish Turf Club at the Curragh at 10 a.m. next Friday.