Jack The Lad For Butler

Gerard Butler has given an upbeat bulletin on Jack Sullivan, whose next outing will be the biggest test of his career in the Breeders´ Cup Classic at Belmont Park on October 29.

The four-year-old has become something of a forgotten horse among the European challengers for the New York extravaganza, but Butler rates him a serious threat to the top American dirt horses.

Butler targeted the Belmont race for Jack Sullivan after he had finished fourth to Roses In May in the Dubai World Cup at the end of March.

He said: 'He´s in great form and it´s all systems go towards the Breeders´ Cup.

'I singled the race out for him in Dubai, since when he´s had a very selective campaign with only four outings.

'It was a deliberate ploy as I wanted him to go to America fresh and healthy in the way Arcangues was trained before his success in the race at Santa Anita (in 1993).'

Jack Sullivan has only once before tackled the 10-furlong distance of the Classic and that was in the World Cup, but Butler is confident of his ability to stay.

Of the stamina issue, Butler added: 'Darryll Holland said that with time, which he has been given, he would be a lot stronger, both physically and mentally by the time he gets to Belmont.'

Butler is likely to have only one runner at the Breeders´ Cup following disappointments with both Nayyir and Tarfah and he went on: 'I don´t know what to make of Nayyir´s run at Goodwood this week. We have done tests on him and will know a lot more in a few days.

'Tarfah went to Arlington for the Beverley D but was found to be lame on the morning of the race, meaning we are struggling to get her into the Filly & Mare Turf.'

(C) PA Sport