Draw Blow For Art Team

Excellent Art was pushed out to 7-2 for the Breeders' Cup Mile after the Aidan O'Brien-trained colt was allotted a nightmare draw of 13 in the 14-runner field.

Big-race jockey Johnny Murtagh admitted the QEII runner-up faces a colossal task at Monmouth Park on Saturday in what is usually the most tactical race on the card.

Murtagh, who represented O'Brien at the draw ceremony, said: 'I've not ridden him before but the 13 stall is probably not good and I'll have to hope I can overcome it.'

There is a relatively short run to the first bend in the Mile and Murtagh added: 'It's a pretty tight grass track but they say the bends ride well.

'I only got in yesterday and will get a look at it when I ride out in the morning but the question mark will be how far I can get in from my draw.

'There's a furlong and a half to the first bend but if you are running three wide, it won't be easy.'

Bookmakers Stan James reacted by pushing out Excellent Art to 7-2 from 11-4, while the firm cut Sir Michael Stoute's Jeremy to 7-1 from 12s after he was handed what appears a plum berth in stall five.

William Hill also go 7-2 (from 3s) about Excellent Art winning in America.

Jeremy, an 8-1 shot with Hills, looked in good heart when he cleared quarantine, engaging in a routine spin on the turf course at Monmouth.

(C) PA Sport