Views from connections for Friday's big races

Lough Construction Ltd. Irish EBF Mares Novice Hurdle, 13.15 at Down Royal

Patrick Mullins on Mystic Theatre: "This has been a very lucky race for us in recent years and Mystic Theatre is a mare we think a lot of. She's been very impressive in her point-to-points, in her bumpers and over hurdles so far and hopefully she's improving all the time.

"This is hopefully the next step up the ladder and we're expecting a big run."

WKD Hurdle, 13.50 at Down Royal

Patrick Mullins on Melon and Conquin Mans: "Melon seems in good form and a second-season novice race like this is a nice starting point for him. It will be a fair examination for him as Coquin Mans has a high rating and is as fit as a flea.

"Melon has only had the three runs over hurdles, so he's entitled to improve, but I'm sure he'll improve for the run, too. He's running pretty early in the season for one of ours and we'll know a lot more about him after the race."

Of Coquin Mans, he added: "He's a very talented horse and has only beaten once, and that was by a Champion Hurdle winner in Jezki. He won't be a pushover and I think it will be a race."

Arkle Finance Wensleydale Juvenile Hurdle, 14.00 at Wetherby

Jedd O'Keeffe on American Craftsman: "American Craftsman is fine and we are very happy with him. We were delighted with him at Wetherby a couple of weeks ago. We knew the horse was all right and that he could jump well, but we did not expect him to win.

"We think he will have improved for the experience, but he will need to if he is to make an impact tomorrow. We know we are facing a difficult task, but he likes the track, it is local for a lot of his owners (The Fatalists), and we want to give it a go.

"The ground will be slower tomorrow and, although he handles decent going well, I have always thought he wanted a bit of cut in the ground given his action. We will find out more tomorrow."

Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf, 21.25 at Del Mar

Aidan O'Brien on Happily and September: "She's [Happily] in good form and has done well to win two Group One already. She missed the Fillies' Mile after a slightly bad scope, but she didn't miss any important work because of it and it shouldn't have any bearing on her chance this week.

"On her pedigree, you'd think better ground would suit her, but to be fair she has handled softer ground very well in her last few starts and it would be hard to say that she could be any better on firmer ground. She stays well and I'd say there's a good chance she could get a mile and a half next year.

"September had a nice run in the Fillies' Mile. She ran a very good race but she didn't get a clear run. We were delighted with her run, really. She is by Deep Impact and I think they handle quicker ground. She had a few lesser runs in between, but her last run was coming back after a little break and the ground was a little slower as well.

"She isn't the biggest, but she has a fantastic pedigree and plenty of ability to go with it."

Chris Richardson, managing director of owners Cheveley Park Stud, on Juliet Capulet: "She came out of the Rockfel extremely well and John Gosden suggested she might be an ideal candidate to have a go over there.

"I know it is a mile, but I think you have to stay seven furlongs well which she does. It was a good performance in the Rockfel. She is beautifully-bred and there is plenty of speed in the family. She couldn't have done it any more easily, but she is a filly that has taken a bit of time for the penny to drop.

"That is why she has had a bit of headgear, to make her concentrate, but she doesn't need that anymore, as she showed at Newmarket."

Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf, 22.50 at Del Mar

Charlie Appleby on Masar: "I think the ground will suit him and he will get the trip, no problem. He has been over the trip, having finished third in the Lagardere. He has come out of that well and I think he has got a nice profile going into the Breeders' Cup.

"He has got enough experience under his belt and he is quick ground horse, so he ticks a few boxes."

George Scott on James Garfield: "It's always a little bit concerning when you fly a horse, especially first time with a young horse, but he's eaten and hasn't spiked a temperature and has held his condition well. He's ticked all the boxes so far.

"I haven't done too much with him since the Mill Reef, but certainly physically he's probably stronger than he was when he into that race, just because of the time of the year. He's had a bit more time to grow and strengthen up.

"On the ratings he has to improve, but he won a Group Two pretty convincingly and broke the track record in the process. If he does need to take another step forward, I'm sure he's capable of doing that."

Richard Spencer on Rajasinghe: "He's in good form and travelled over well. We're very happy with him. I think the ground was the reason he didn't perform to his best last time. It was a bit on the slow side and hopefully we'll get fast ground out here. The trip should be fine. He's been finishing his races off well.

"If you put a line through his last run, he's finished close in the July Stakes behind Cardsharp and US Navy Flag and that puts him right in with a chance. It's nice to be here. It's something we've not taken lightly."

Aidan O'Brien on Mendelssohn: "Mendelssohn had a big jump up in his last run - his first two runs he was very green, he has just taken his time learning. We put the blinkers on at home in his last piece of work and he grew another leg, that is why we left them on."