Bookies unable to spit big two

Arch rivals Fantastic Light and Galileo now jointly lead the Emirates World Series with 18 points after a memorable race at Leopardstown but the bookmakers can`t split them for the Breeders` Cup Classic.

The pair, two of the most popular horses in training this season, thrilled a packed Leopardstown and thousands of TV viewers with their titanic struggle in the Ireland the Food Island Irish Champion Stakes yesterday.

Godolphin`s Fantastic Light, ridden by Frankie Dettori, gained revenge over Aidan O`Brien`s dual Derby winner Galileo, under Michael Kinane, by a head.

It was a reversal of fortunes from Ascot in July when Galileo came out on top in the King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Diamond Stakes. The race was the fifth leg of the 12-race Emirates World Series which also takes in the Breeders` Cup action next month.

Coral`s odds compilers today admitted they were unable to split Galileo and Fantastic Light in their betting on the Breeders` Cup Classic. The firm makes them 3-1 joint favourites for the ten-furlong dirt race at Belmont Park on October 27th.

Meanwhile, Lido Palace`s victory in yesterday`s Woodward Stakes at Belmont Park propelled him to 8-1 second favourite (from 14-1) for the big race.

The clash of the season between Fantastic Light and Galileo was watched with particular interest by retired BBC commentator Sir Peter O`Sullevan, who called home many great finishes during his long broadcasting career, and who was at Leopardstown.

He believes yesterday`s race bears comparison with the epic dual of Grundy and Bustino in the 1975 King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Diamond Stakes. Derby winner Grundy, ridden by Pat Eddery, won the honours that day - beating his four-year-old rival Bustino, partnered by Joe Mercer.

O`Sullevan said today: 'I think it could be compared to the King George in respect of two top thoroughbreds giving their all.

'Of course, it was a complete turnaround, with the older horse beating the younger horse.

'However, there was one outstanding difference. There wasn`t a suspicion of abuse in 1975 while, to put it mildly, there was more than a hint of it here.'

That was, of course, a reference to Dettori being severely cautioned by the Leopardstown stewards for using his whip excessively on Fantastic Light.

'However, Frankie rode a very, very judicious tactical race, aided by the manoeuvre on the bend of the Godolphin pacemaker who allowed his stablemate (Give The Slip, under late substite Richard Hills) to come round the bend on the rail while Galileo was forced to the outside,' added O`Sullevan.

Coral betting: 3-1 Galileo, Fantastic Light, 8-1 Albert The Great (from 6-1), Lido Palace (from 12-1), 10-1 Tiznow (from 6-1), Macho Uno, Aptitude, 14-1 E Dubai, Hightori 16-1 Broken Vow, 20-1 Include, Captain Steve, 25-1 Bar. - PA