Breeders Cup: Gorella tipped

With much of the east coast of the United States feeling the wrath of Hurricane Wilma, the deluge of rainfall that has accompanied this relentless act of nature looks set to ensure that there is juice in the ground on the turf course at Belmont Park for this weekend's Breeders' Cup meeting. As such, the odd strange result may ensue.In my opinion, the race most likely to throw up a surprise is the Netjets Breeders' Cup Mile, for which I cannot believe Ladbrokes are so magnanimous as to offer 33-1 about the ex-French-trained filly Gorella.Statistically, this race hasn't been a good one for favourites, with only War Chant - who was sent off a 7-2 joint favourite for the 2000 renewal - winning from the head of the market within the last decade. This does not augur well for Leroidesanimaux, who is a prohibitive, top-priced 5-4 jolly.It's hard not to be impressed with the way that the Brazilian-bred five-year-old has been dispatching with his opponents, and he's now unbeaten in his last eight starts. But, despite the fact that cut in the ground won't bother him given that pulverised his rivals on yielding going at Woodbine last month, I think that his perceived superiority has been massively overestimated and I don't rate him as being bombproof as, it would appear, most believe.Three winners of this in the last decade - Six Perfections in 2003, Domedriver in '02 and Spinning World in '97 - have lifted this international milers' crown for France in the last decade, and while Gorella is now with US-based trainer Patrick Biancone, it's her solid form from France which makes me think that she might be about to add her name to that roll of honour.In all truth, she does have a little bit to find overall, but this is quite a sub-standard renewal of this extremely valuable contest and, in receipt of weight all-round, she could ruffle some feathers in New York.The daughter of Grape Tree Road has had time to acclimatise and warmed up for this assignment with an excellent effort in a valuable Grade One contest at Keenland a fortnight ago when finishing a close-up third to Sweet Talker.On her penultimate start, Gorella stayed on in great style to finish two and a half lengths second to Starcraft in the Prix du Moulin at Longchamp where Majors Cast, Whipper and Valixir, all of whom will be re-opposing on Saturday, filled the next three places. Although she will be meeting those rivals on 2lb worse terms this time, I can see her confirming the form with those rivals, as both Majors Cast and Valixir would prefer faster going, especially the former, while Whipper doesn't quite get home over a mile - all his best form is at around six furlongs.If the going were to come up heavy, however, this would not suit the selection. But going on the easy side of good, which looks the most likely end product, will suit the three-year-old ideally and she will be staying on as well as anything in the closing stages.Artie Schiller and last year's winner Singletary looks sure to go well, while Funfair, who use to be trained in the UK, could also give a good account.Betting verdict: 0.50pts e/w Gorella @ 33/1 (Ladbrokes)