Breeders' Cup: Timeform’s view on the European team ahead of the 2020 championships at Keeneland

Battleground – Juvenile Turf, 20:20 Friday

The raiding party drew a blank on Future Stars Friday at Santa Anita last year but the Europeans will have high hopes of getting on the board in the Juvenile Turf. The top six horses on Timeform’s weight-adjusted ratings all hail from Europe, with the standard set by Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere winner Sealiway. He proved a revelation at Longchamp on Arc day, showing much improved form to score by eight lengths, but there may have been an element of others failing to handle the heavy ground, so there is a doubt about what the form is worth. The one to side with could be the lightly-raced Battleground, who hasn't achieved as much as some of these but has looked like a top-notch talent. Battleground is the first foal of Found – who won the Turf here at Keeneland in 2015, incidentally – so has had a big reputation from the outset, and he showed himself to be a colt of serious potential when winning the Chesham Stakes at Royal Ascot just ten days after making his debut. He improved on that form to win the Vintage Stakes with more in hand than the two-length winning margin would suggest and he has plenty still to offer.

Mother Earth – Juvenile Fillies Turf, 21:30 Friday

Wesley Ward's Campanelle, an impressive winner of the Prix Morny over six furlongs on her latest outing, clearly has the best form on offer but there is an obvious doubt about whether she will prove as effective over this trip. One filly for whom the mile is no issue is Aidan O'Brien's Mother Earth. She looked to be going the wrong way after making a promising start, but she bounced back with a career-best effort when third in the Fillies' Mile at Newmarket last month. Mother Earth relished the step up to a mile, getting to within a length of 1000 Guineas favourite Pretty Gorgeous, and that level of form looks on a par with what the admittedly less-exposed favourite Aunt Pearl has achieved, so she should not be underestimated.

Siskin – Mile, 20:15 Saturday

Kameko was beaten on his three starts following his 2000 Guineas victory, though he had excuses on each occasion and bounced back when returned to a mile in the Joel Stakes. Kameko defied a penalty to beat older rivals with a degree of authority and that represents the best form on offer. He was briefly a bit tapped for toe when the pace lifted at Newmarket, however, so whether this sharp mile will play to his strengths is open to debate. Siskin, the Irish 2000 Guineas winner, arrives on the back of a poor effort in the Prix du Moulin, but he had previously shown himself to be a very smart miler blessed with a sharp turn of foot. The emphasis on speed will play to Siskin's strengths and he looks a spot of value at a double-figure price.

Tarnawa – Turf, 21:33 Saturday

Bricks And Mortar triumphed for the home team last year but the Europeans have dominated the Turf and have a strong squad again this year. Magical, runner-up to Enable in this two years ago, heads the market and the Timeform weight-adjusted ratings having proved better than ever when overhauling Ghaiyyath in the Irish Champion Stakes. She was slightly below her best when third in the Champion Stakes at Ascot last time, but she is a tough mare who can be relied upon to give a good account. She doesn't have a huge amount in hand on ratings, however, and the progressive Tarnawa makes slightly more appeal. Tarnawa came up short in Group 1 company last season but has shown much improved form this term, winning all three starts, including at the highest level the last twice. The turn of foot she displayed to land the Prix Vermeille and Prix de l'Opera could prove a potent weapon around here and she can raise her game another notch.

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