Nothing less than rich pickings will suffice from Europe's assault on the Breeders' Cup, which climaxes in California this evening when Rip Van Winkle and Twice Over take on America's finest in the Classic.

There is only one notable absentee from America's massed ranks. Like Zenyatta, Rachel Alexandra would have squared up to the colts in the Classic. But the Pro-Ride synthetic surface, so kind to the Europeans, prompted an early end to her trail-blazing campaign.

Europe is represented in all eight races but it will be different next year, when Churchill Downs hosts the Breeders' Cup on traditional American dirt that will dilute Europe's challenge. This time, however, America's three-year-olds are unproven on a surface that favours turf runners. Summer Bird, Quality Road and Mine That Bird have made just one start on Pro-Ride.

Nevertheless, the Classic is more than a match between Rip Van Winkle and Zenyatta. The former, while less sweaty at exercise yesterday, still looks a little washed out from the long journey. Zenyatta, for her part, has been bullying a limited collection of fillies over shorter trips this year and will find this much tougher.

Two dangerous alternatives are Einstein, a reliable seven-year-old, and Gio Ponti, whose turf form is streets ahead of any American horse and whose sole defeat in four starts came when he failed to stay 12 furlongs last time out. An improving four-year-old, Gio Ponti will thrive over the Classic's ten-furong trip.

Mastercraftsman, a stablemate of Rip Van Winkle, is a warm favourite for the Dirt Mile but his draw in stall one is a worry. An arduous campaign has seen him compete over ten furlongs on his past three starts and any blunting of his speed will undermine him. Of his opponents, Pyro and Bullsbay are better on dirt but Midshipman defied a long absence to score over a shorter trip last month. He won the Juvenile 12 months ago.

Europe's quartet comprising Alfred Nobel, Beethoven, Radiohead and Vale Of York do not inspire much confidence in the Juvenile, for which Lookin At Lucky is strongly fancied. Prospects are better in the Juvenile Turf, in which Awesome Act, Buzzword, Pounced and Viscount Nelson look strong. The latter two have both impressed in their demeanour here.

Europe is particularly strong in the Turf and the Mile. Conduit, last year's Turf winner, has enjoyed a similar preparation - even if he has yet to point his toe at morning exercise. Dar Re Mi is full of beans despite her busy campaign, while Spanish Moon, a mature five-year-old, has behaved as such. They should have the finish to themselves against a weak domestic defence.

Goldikova's prospects of following up her Mile victory of 12 months ago have improved greatly. Awash with sweat on her arrival, she looked far more relaxed at morning exercise yesterday. Zacinto, by contrast, has barely turned a hair and appears right on his mettle. Delegator has taken time to settle into his new surroundings, while Gladiatorus will be among the fittest in the field.

• Henry Cecil broke his Breeders’ Cup duck in California on Friday night when Midday, under Tom Queally, made off with the Filly & Mare Turf. It was an emotional victory for the ten-times champion trainer, who is battling cancer. “It has taken me 27 years [to win in California], but the older you get, the longer it takes,” Cecil, 66, said. Midday was Europe’s second winner of the night after Man Of Iron, trained by Aidan O’Brien and ridden by Johnny Murtagh, landed the Marathon.