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.

Friday, November 3:

Every morning at Churchill Downs starts with a prayer read over the tannoy system in the huge stables area, asking the Almighty the 'bless the horsemen' and ending with 'thanks in advance'.

I'm going to be honest with you and confess I didn't quite make it to the track in time to hear it this morning.

Fortunately, George Washington and his European-trained colleagues were more punctual than me and hit the track on schedule at around 8am.

While the press - and particularly the Americans who have taken the idea of GW being a headstrong maniac - strained their eyes for evidence of misbehaviour, it was Scorpion who was most on his toes.

By contrast, GW was perfectly-behaved and did everything his work rider wanted him to, leaving Aidan purring like a kitten about his chances of claiming the Classic.

By all accounts, British punters are not tuning into the general cynicism over his chances of being able to beat America's best over a new trip and on a new surface.

The bookies continue to cut his odds but notably, William Hill, despite going 7-1 from 8-1 for the race, make him 8-11 to finish sixth or worse in their special betting on his position.

The big firms are all trying to drum up a bit of business by offering some interesting specials, for example match bets and top jockey offers.

Combined with the opportunity to bet in big-pool exotics and take the pick of pari-mutuel or British odds, there will undoubtedly be opportunities for informed punters to make money tomorrow.

A shame then that I'm a more clueless guesser than Cup crusher.

I don't much like the look of the margin on a 1-2 and 6-4 market, but I do like the look of the odds-against with Hills over an O'Brien runner beating the Godolphin pair in the Mile.

Neither Ad Valorem and Aussie Rules fared well in the draw, but both are closers who have proven form in North America and ought to be suited by the fast-run race.

They will be running on at the finish and 6-4 about one of them beating Echo of Light and Librettist will soon be added to my porfolio (always liked that word, it makes you sound like a professional).

I first saw The Detroit Spinners about four months ago performing in Asda in Watford. It was as surreal an episode as it sounds.

Last night I saw them again (they drop the 'Detroit' bit when at home) at the 'press party'. It was a stuttering start but by the end (and buoyed by a marguerita or eight) they had us eating out of their hands.

The journeyman lead singer, who was transferred in under the Bosman ruling from The Futures, was getting rather hot and bothered by the finish and it was probably a good job that things came to an end when they did, but they still left the crowd (or at least those who could be extracted from the free bar) crying for more.

They seemed happier than they had been in Asda too.