Conduit not certain to defend Cup crown despite big gamble

Connections of Conduit will decide later today whether or not the colt will attempt to defend his Breeders' Cup Turf title.

The King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes winner was fourth to Sea The Stars in Sunday's Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, and was last night the subject of a major betting plunge for the £630,000 race at Santa Anita.

Skybet slashed Conduit to 6-4 favourite from 11-4, while William Hill now go evens (from 9-4) for the mile-and-a-half contest on 7 November.

However, according to the his owners Ballymacoll Stud, no decision has been taken over whether the Sir Michael Stoute-trained four-year-old will line up in California.

Racing manager Peter Reynolds said: "There is no decision. I'm travelling to Newmarket to see Sir Michael today and we'll know a bit more then.

"We were pleased with his run at Longchamp, although we could have done with a better gallop. He could perhaps have finished a bit closer but he's done nothing wrong.

"We could have done with a bit of luck, but that's the way things go. He has taken the race well though, and has travelled back to England okay."

Should Conduit head to Santa Anita, he is likely to be joined by stablemate Spanish Moon, and Stoute will seek a similar result to the 1996 renewal, where Pilsudski led home Singspiel. Skybet offer 8-1 that there will be another Stoute 1-2 in the Turf.

Godolphin's Cavalryman, third in the Arc, has been cut to 4-1 (from 10s), but is reportedly a doubtful runner.

Breeders' Cup Turf (Skybet): 6-4 Conduit, 4 Cavalryman, 7 Gio Ponti, 8 Fame And Glory, 9 Stacelita, 10 Vision D'Etat, Youmzain, 16 bar.