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Richard Fahey keen to see Ribchester bow out on a Mile high

Richard Fahey is unperturbed by Ribchester's double-figure draw in the Breeders' Cup Mile at Del Mar on Saturday.

Ribchester
Ribchester Picture: Pat Healy Photography

Europe's star miler has been allotted stall 10 as he attempts to end his lucrative racing career on a high before stallion duties call.

Fahey said: "Everything's gone good. He's training well, he's drinking and eating. We're happy."

He added: "The Breeders' Cup chap in Europe tells me 10 is not a bad draw. He's given me the stats to back it up, so I'm going to go with him.

"The beauty is we're getting him back on some decent ground. That's something I want to see before he retires and he does retire after Saturday.

"We're lucky we're getting the opportunity to run him again. It is around two tight turns, and I'd be more worried about that than anything, but you don't know until you try and the pace of the race you'd imagine will suit.

"If he handles the track, I'm sure he'll run his race. He's very reliable and when you know they're going to the paddocks, you just want him to run well for him - to finish on a good note."

Roly Poly has been a revelation for trainer Aidan O'Brien, winning three times at the top level, including a victory over subsequent Queen Elizabeth II Stakes heroine Persuasive in the Sun Chariot Stakes at Newmarket.

"She's a very solid filly and has progressed with every run. It's amazing what she's done this season," O'Brien told At The Races.

"She isn't the biggest, but there have been a lot of great horses over the years that have shown they don't need to be big to be great.

"She has pedigree, ability and courage which are probably all more important than size.

"I don't think she's far off the best in Europe over a mile. Her draw (12) doesn't look ideal, but we'll see what Ryan (Moore) makes of it.

"A mile on fast ground is just what she wants."

O'Brien also runs Lancaster Bomber, who could not handle the soft going in the QEII.

"He just got stuck in the ground at Ascot, but he's a hardy horse and has been in good form since," he said.

"He gets a mile well. Fast ground will suit him and he's just a good solid horse."

Home Of The Brave also prefers a lively surface and his trainer Hugo Palmer expects him to act on the track as well.

"The short is very straight and the turns are very tight and he's a neat, nimble horse who I think will get round really well," said the Newmarket handler.

"The fast ground is definitely what suits him.

"I think we're right to be in the race and right to fancy our chances."

The other UK representative is David O'Meara's Suedois, who landed the Grade One Shadwell Mile at Keeneland a month ago.

Jockey Danny Tudhope told Racing UK: "It's going to be tough but I'm happy with the draw (eight).

"He's in the middle of them and should have enough gate speed as he's been running over six furlongs.

"It might play into our hands and the track does favour front-runners. We're very hopeful."

Mark Casse sent out Tepin to lift this prize two years ago and is looking to repeat the trick with World Approval, who had Lancaster Bomber back in second place when winning the Woodbine Mile in September.

He said: " I've heard so much about Ribchester and he is an extremely good horse, but he is beatable.

"A couple of years ago the Europeans came over and said they were going to beat Tepin and she showed them different."


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