'Nothing less than a swashbuckling success would see City Of Troy retire to stud a true great' - Richard Birch answers the big questions on a big day

What’s the big story?

Racing fans either love the Breeders’ Cup or loathe it. If you love it, you’ll be obsessed with City Of Troy’s bid for greatness by landing the Longines Breeders’ Cup Classic (9.41).

If you loathe it, there is a bigger chance than normal that you might be tempted to tune in to see if Aidan O’Brien’s four-time Group 1 winner can justify the extraordinary expectations that have surrounded him in the build-up.

Derby hero City Of Troy is likely to start around 15-8 favourite under Ryan Moore to defeat 13 rivals and land the Grade 1 dirt race which has so far eluded his record-breaking trainer.

It’s a tall order, despite City Of Troy’s market position. Will he act on dirt? Some say he will; others say he won’t.

History may be against him, but there is no one better at rewriting history than O’Brien.

Will City Of Troy prove himself a true great?

Greatness is measured in many ways and is open to all sorts of interpretations by different people.

Personally, I lost considerable interest in the colt when he trailed home ninth of 11 behind Notable Speech in the 2,000 Guineas.

He redeemed himself as a middle-distance performer of tremendous ability when landing the Derby, was wholly unimpressive at odds of 1-4 in the Eclipse, and took full advantage of a copybook front-running ride from Moore in the Juddmonte International.

Apart from Los Angeles, who finished third at Epsom, the Derby form has been devalued more times than the pound against the dollar after various British government decisions in recent years.

Others will disagree, but nothing less than a swashbuckling Del Mar success would see City Of Troy retire to stud a true great. We will see.

Who wins the bet365 Charlie Hall Chase (2.58) at Wetherby?

Bravemansgame makes no appeal at a very short price.

The Paul Nicholls-trained chaser was beaten in this race last year by Gentlemansgame, who held an official rating that day of 154 and hasn’t won since.

Gordon Elliott’s Conflated comes into the contest with an official rating of 167 next to his name, and will enjoy this left-handed test.

His form against many of the top Irish chasers reads well, and he gets my vote.

Conflated14:58 Wetherby

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Jky: Danny Gilligan Tnr: Gordon Elliott

Can Chianti Classico defy top weight in Ascot’s Sodexo Live! Handicap Chase (3.45)?

Yes. He still looks fairly treated on 152 and it’s hard to forget him bolting up in the Ultima.

Chianti Classico15:45 Ascot

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Jky: Tom Bellamy Tnr: Kim Bailey

What’s the best bet of the day?

Charming Fellow has been raised only 3lb for his Pontefract success. He promises to be better still over the longer trip of Newmarket’s 1m1f nursery (1.42).

Charming Fellow13:42 Newmarket

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Jky: Sean D Bowen (3lb)Tnr: Peter Chapple-Hyam

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