Rain comes just in Time for Cecil

The popular 64-year-old's career seemed in terminal decline as recently as 2005 when he saddled only 12 winners, a far cry from his peak of 180 successes in 1987.

There had been no Classic success since Love Divine's 2000 Oaks and a combination of personal tragedy — he lost his twin brother David to cancer and endured a second divorce — and ill luck seemed to suggest a quiet retirement minding his much-loved roses.

But Passage of Time's owner Prince Khaled Abdullah continued to support Cecil, himself now fighting from stomach cancer.

Her Group One victory in the Criterium de Saint-Cloud last November was a first for Cecil at that level for six years.

While Passage of Time's Oaks bid in June was foiled by an ulcerated throat, stablemate Light Shift, thought to be the second string, rose magnificently to the occasion for Cecil to win the race for an eighth time.

Now Passage of Time, who was third in the Prix Vermeille earlier this month, can become Cecil's first Breeders' Cup winner at his sixth attempt.

His last runner, Royal Anthem, was seventh in the 1998 Turf. Yesterday the filly was ridden a circuit of Monmouth Park's tight and wet turf track by jockey Ramon Dominguez, who told the trainer: "She felt like a million dollars. I'm very excited and I love how easy she is to ride."

Cecil, who will have been delighted by the forecast two inches of rain last night and thunderstorms today for his filly, said: "She has come on for her run in the Vermeille and I am very happy with her."

In contrast, Jeremy Noseda was unhappy with the conditions for his runner in the Filly and Mare Turf, Simply Perfect. He said: "She is a winner on soft but the emphasis will be on stamina which might find her out."

Main European hopes on the card rest with Aidan O'Brien but conditions have also seen his leading contender, Dylan Thomas, drift in the Turf betting.

The Arc winner, who must take on Brian Meehan's Red Rocks (Frankie Dettori) who won the race last year, was out to 5-4 with Coral last night with concern that his long stride will be unsuited by both the softening ground and the tight turns.

Mick Kinane is optimistic George Washington can improve on last year's sixth in the highly competitive Classic.

He said: "He was unlucky when we were squeezed up. He could have finished several lengths closer."

Excellent Art's chance in the Mile has been compromised by the wide 13 draw which no horse has managed to overcome since the Breeders' Cup was launched in 1984.