Will Hayler of the London Evening Standard is on hand at Churchill Downs to bring you all the flavour and colour of the Breeders' Cup 2006. Stay logged on for more updates.

Tuesday October 31

Getting out of Cincinnati Airport took almost as long as flying there from Gatwick. For those unaware of how seriously the Americans take their airport security, an abridged account of the prodecure is: 1) queue for hours. 2) get interrogated by immigration man. 3) have photos and fingerprints taken. 4) collect luggage. 5) go through customs. 6) have luggage taken away again. 7) queue for X-ray of hand baggage, shoe inspection, metal detector. 8) walk for hours. 9) re-collect luggage. 10) get out as quick as you can.

The good news was getting a plot draw on the plane next to a very good-looking and friendly law student, an American living in Kensington (ie loaded, probably).

I must remember this rare stroke of good fortune the next time I get the usual seat next to blithering maniacs (she's probably thinking the exact reverse, right now).

John Egan and Stan Moore were on the plane (in business obviously) but it was good to see them having to queue up with the rest of us plebs to get through the various security processes. Hard to imagine Lord Derby and family having to do the same when he flies over, nice bloke though he is. I guess he probably doesn't fly Delta. ("We're going bankrupt but what do I care?" the stewardess said).

It was raining as we arrived, which isn't a bad thing as it sounds like the turf track needed a drop but it's dry now so hopefully we will get a few horses to work on it in the morning then we'll have a better idea of the ground.

I spent most of the flight looking at some statistics and the lifetime form of everything in every Cup race. I probably came away more confused than I was before I started but my Pick 6 is starting to take shape in my head now. Henny Hughes is going to get opposed in the Sprint (profile all wrong for the race, not enough experience, too young) whereas Bernadini and/or Ouija Board are likely to be bankered in their races. Dubai Escapade is the latest horse to drop out through injury which is a pain as she was pretty much the only one I had definitely ruled out of calculations in the Sprint.

Got to the hotel, checked in, picked up my accreditation and all of the comprehensive stats books that will be thoroughly thumbed over the next 72 hours.

Half-asleep and half-awake I found some of the other British journalists knocking about and I managed a few medicinal ales and some ribs in the Kuntz Steakhouse a couple of blocks from the hotel. Some might say that there was something apt about a party of journalists heading to Kuntz.

It's the draw ceremony tomorrow morning, which several of the leading trainers like to attend. As it appears that the effect of the draw will be felt most in the Sprint, it is unlikely that it is of too much importance for any of the European runners but the 'morning line' prices will also be issued, which often create a murmur or two (eg Shirocco at 20-1 last year).

I can't wait to get to the track in the morning and start soaking things up. And if that makes me sound like a Breeders' Cup geek then maybe that's what I am.