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Ed Walker admits it is a ‘massive milestone’ to have a runner at the Breeders’ Cup - and thinks Dreamloper is ready to ‘run a big race’.
Dreamloper has already secured victories in the Prix d’Ispahan and Prix du Moulin already this season, proving that travelling is not an issue for the five-year-old.
Walker seems to be favouring the Breeders’ Cup mile despite the mare being nominated for the Filly & Mare Turf, saying: “We know she is one of the best milers in Europe with an official rating of 120, so the Breeders’ Cup Mile looks the race for her.
“I wouldn’t want it too soft, the faster the better. It is going to be sharper, but she is not slow, she has great gate speed, she will jump, she will travel and the mile will help her settle which is the key to her and over this trip, she will be hitting the line strongly.
“I’ve never had a runner in the Breeders’ Cup, it is one of the mega meetings around the world you dream of having runners at.
“It is a massive milestone to have a runner and one with a live chance.
“We really fancy her to run a big race and that is very special and exciting.”
Regal Encore, meanwhile, will be making his fifth appearance in the Bateaux London Gold Cup Handicap Chase at Ascot on Saturday as a 14-year-old.
It will be his 16th race at Ascot, where he has won four times and finished placed on another six occasions for Anthony Honeyball.
“His last run was in the Topham, but the one before that was back at Ascot and he actually landed over two out with a toenail in front,” said Honeyball.
“We were thinking ‘this can’t be happening again’ and while he finished fourth, it’s fine margins. It could have been his age, the younger legs got away from him, but he ran on again after the last to be fourth.
“He’s run there so many times and Richie (McLernon) rides him the same every time that they’ve all merged into one for me, I couldn’t remember one race from another!
“He’s won four of those big pots at Ascot and it’s hard to tell them apart, but he certainly ran well enough on a couple of occasions last season to let him have another go back at Ascot.”
