For the first time this week the backstretch at Lone Star Park was buzzing with activity on Thursday morning as the finishing touches were put to the 100 plus Breeders Cup' contenders.

The Ballydoyle contingent all hit the dirt at 8am with Aidan O'Brien monitoring them on horseback. Jamie Spencer took the mount on Powerscourt giving a clear, though not unsurprising, indication that the Sadlers Wells' colt represents their best chance of success.

Yesterday looked fantastic and his work rider wore a self satisfied grin as they left the track while the two juveniles, Scandinavia and Mona Lisa, looked at home on the surface they were bred for.

I get the strong impression that O'Brien's strong finish to the Flat season in Europe could well overrun into a successful night on Saturday at Lone Star Park

Ed Dunlop spoke to the assembled press corps after Ouija Board had exercised and seemed determined not to raise anyone's expectations of his charge.

References to it being a "tough assignment" and to "another chance next year at Belmont" are worth bearing in mind when deciding whether to lump on the European banker.

Half the British press corps arrived late to the Quarantine Barn after their transport (a white stretch Limousine would you believe) picked them up from their hotel and took them to the Park.

Unfortunately as they disembarked from the car they realized that the Grandstand in front of them was not Lone Star Park, it was Lone Star Speedway Park! Texas is a big place and inevitably these two Lone Star sporting facilities were nowhere near each other so having left their hotel at 7am they only made the backstretch at 9am. It would however be very bad PR to reveal the names of the distinguished hacks but it was a highly amusing incident.

The highlight of the morning was the visit to the horseman's catering area named "Joy's Kitchen". On entering it looked extremely unlikely that it would live up to its name, but despite the appearance of both the food and those serving it, the full American breakfast was delicious.

A USA Today story that morning had revealed that the average American male is 25lbs heavier than 25 years ago. I don't know why it took them so long. It took me 25 minutes not years and a “Joys Kitchen breakfast” to make that weight gain!

The temperature by midday was well into the 80s and the humidity levels bordering on the oppressive.

The predictions in some British newspapers of soft going at Lone Star after the downpour on Monday now look likely to be well wide of the mark as the track dries out.

Good ground may be the order of the day though there still remains a small chance of heavy rain on Friday evening or Saturday morning. Watch this space as the conditions on the Turf course will be the most important factor when assessing the relative chances of the US and European contenders.

Richard Mandella, trainer of the reigning champ Pleasantly Perfect, came out with the quote of the day when being interviewed by an enthusiastic American journalist. The journalist asked him very seriously: “Richard, if the heavy storms arrive at Lone Star on Saturday morning as forecast, will they affect your plans?” “Yes,” Mandella replied, “I would probably bring an umbrella.”

Various press conferences were held with jockeys, trainers and owners. Kieren Fallon was asked if the trials and tribulations of recent weeks had affected his riding. Kieren, not famed for using ten words when one will do, thought long and hard before answering “No”!

By lunchtime Lone Star was gearing up for a day's racing featuring an International Jockey's challenge in which Kieren Fallon, Jamie Spencer, Frankie Dettori and Christophe Soumillon were all participating.

Even this invaluable first sight of the turf and dirt tracks at Lone Star could have a material bearing on the chances of European success on Saturday. Gone are the days when the Euro jocks arrive on Breeders Cup Friday, get hopelessly out ridden around alien tracks on the Saturday, and get ripped apart in the press on Sunday.

All four jockeys are as talented as any in the world, and after experiencing the unique contours and characteristics of the Lone Star tracks this afternoon, I have little doubt they will be prepped and ready to give of their best against Bailey, Prado and co on Saturday afternoon.