We spoke to legendary trainer Michael Dickinson to get his thoughts on the conditions facing the European raiders at Lone Star Park and his verdict on the eight races.

Lone Star Park: "I have been there but not for some time. Like most American tracks the dirt track is a mile round and the turf course seven furlongs round. After last year I don't think the weather will play a role. In 2003 the Europeans flew to California where it was 98 degrees and had three winners. It is a lot cooler in Texas, around 75 or 80. If the warm weather didn't kill them in Santa Anita last year this won't be a problem."

Distaff: "Ashado will probably be the favourite and while she is a very good filly, she isn't brilliant. She is certain to hit the boards but my selection in the race is Nebraska Tornado. Being by Storm Cat she is bred for the dirt and I love Andre Fabre as a trainer. I thinks she will be much better value than Ashado."

Juvenile Fillies: "This is a very open race but I am going to go with the favourite Sweet Catomine. She seems to be the best of the Americans. Mona Lisa, the Irish horse, is by Giant's Causeway and his progeny should handle the dirt. The dam is by Shirley Heights and they won't. She is still a maiden and maidens find it very hard at the Breeders' Cup."

Mile: "The Europeans can win the race again with Six Perfections. Artie Schiller is an improving three-year-old and the best of the Americans but as long as Six Perfections is as good as she was last year than she will win. There isn't a truly outstanding American horse in this race. Special Ring is talented but wants the ground rock hard and it looks like being good. Artie Schiller was impressive last time but I am sticking with Six Perfections."

Sprint: "It's quite a good field but probably the best sprinter in American, Pico Centrale, isn't running because they had to supplement him. My horse A Huevo won his last race by 19 lengths and I wanted to run him in this but he isn't Breeders' Cup-nominated and we had to come up with $200,000. What do I think will win? Midas Eyes. We ran against him at Saratoga and he was very impressive there. While he has a lousy draw on the outside, he can overcome it. Kela looks the danger."

Filly & Mare Turf: "You're readers are going to be furious with me but I am not going to select Ouija Board. I just feel it is too much to ask for a three-year-old to have gone through the Classics and the Arc to fly halfway round the world on a three-week break and be at her best. I wouldn't bet her at the price even though she is the best horse in the race. Ed Dunlop is a friend of mine and a good trainer and I would love her to win for Lord Derby. She is the best in the race but the three-year-olds have to start early to prepare for the Classics and it is a long year for them. The older horses aren't as rushed in the early parts of the year and you can prep them for mid-summer and the fall campaign. On the whole history isn't kind on horses who have run in the Arc, especially three-year-old fillies with only a three-week lay-off. I know she is the best horse in the race and I want her to win but I can't support her at the odds despite the fact there isn't a really good American filly. Light Jig is average without being brilliant and while Ouija Board may not have to be at her best to win, I would go with Riskaverse."

Juvenile: "This looks a good race and I am going to go for Proud Accolade, who may be favourite and won the Champagne. Roman Ruler is a good horse but I feel he peaked too soon back in August. With these babies it is tough to keep them at their peak for too long."

Turf: "Kitten's Joy has been very impressive, he has done nothing wrong and is my selection to win this. It is hard to have a top turf horse over here as they have to do all their training on the dirt. Francois Boutin said the worst thing for a turf horse is a dirt track so it is hard to have a really top turf horse unless they are at Tapeta Farm."

Classic: "Pleasantly Perfect is a good horse, has done nothing wrong and has no obvious flaws. As long as he doesn't have an off-day, he should win. So what will be second? Probably Ghostzapper."