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Rip holds best Classic claims - O'Brien
Aidan O'Brien feels Rip Van Winkle represents his best ever chance of winning the Breeders' Cup Classic.
O'Brien came close last year when Henrythenavigator finished second to Raven's Pass, while Giant's Causeway occupied the same position in 2000.
With Rip Van Winkle's well-documented foot complaint now seemingly healed, O'Brien has backed the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes hero to go one place better.
The star colt also gave off the right signals in an encouraging piece of work, in tandem with Ballydoyle's other Breeders' Cup challengers, at the racetrack on Wednesday morning.
O'Brien said: "They didn't do much, they just had a trot and a hack and all went well.
"I was very happy, having been a little worried about Rip, as the journey took a lot out of him.
"He's had a long, hard season but I was very happy with him this morning.
"It was the first time he'd had someone on his back since arriving in America and he didn't lose the movement.
"I like to see them having a good sweat after travelling and being in quarantine for so long - it gets the system clear.
"Rip is one of those horses who has no problems sweating. I'd have been more worried if he had not have been sweaty.
"His foot seems fine. There was a little bit of an issue on his off-hind - and that's one area that we haven't had a problem with before - but everyone's happy with it and it's been good the last week.
"He's a horse who is very exuberant and you could see from his action this morning that he was moving well.
"It was his first day on the track, and we didn't want to do too much in the heat.
"Rip is a very brilliant horse but has had a long season and has been swimming against the tide.
"He's probably the most natural athlete we've ever had.
"I have to be careful talking about him as the feel we got out of him this morning maybe makes you say too much.
"He hadn't been on this surface (Pro-Ride) until this morning, but he floated on it and is a beautiful mover.
"I suppose I've no doubt in the world that he is our best chance in the Classic, if the season hasn't taken its toll.
"If he's anywhere close to how he was at Ascot or Goodwood, then you'd hope and dream that he can win."
Mastercraftsman also flexed his muscles ahead of the colt's tilt at the Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile.
Despite having been unfavourably drawn, O'Brien is unfazed by an allegedly troublesome berth.
He said: "I don't think stall one will be a problem. Mastercraftsman's best ever run was over six furlongs and he wants a real hard, fast pace, which he should get in the Mile.
"I hope that at half-way he's not too far back. I think they will go that fast that you're best saving ground than being drawn on the wide outside.
"He's not used to racing over a mile at Polytrack pace but at Ascot, when we put loads of speed on, Johnny let him roll from halfway.
"He'll probably come from halfway again and hopefully get there in time."
