RIP VAN WINKLE INJURY SHAKES UP BREEDERS CUP CLASSIC BETFAIR MARKET

You couldn't have timed it any better. As soon as Jon White, the morning-line oddsmaker at Santa Anita, placed Zenyatta as his 5/2 favourite the well-backed British invader Rip Van Winkle showed signs of a foot injury today- prompting a sell-off in the Betfair markets for the 2009 Breeders Cup Classic.You seriously couldn't have timed this worse for connections of Rip Van Winkle. They have been listed at around 2.5 for several weeks now and we've already seen that price drift up to an even 3.0. On Betfair, Rip remains the punters favourite, but Zenyatta's price has been shortening all day. The antepost market on Betfair has been removed and we are now good to go on the outright result. Rip Van Winkle was out for some light training today and Aidan O'Brien moved to calm fears that the Sussex Stakes winner would have question marks over top based on the foot issues. I would keep your eyes peeled on all of his workouts as if this is going to be a genuine issue it will be obvious before post-time. He wasn't pushed particularly hard today and he will expect to be under the microscope again tomorrow for what I assume will be a more vigorous workout. Rip Van Winkle boasts a solid-looking draw out of the 10th stall with Zenyatta in #4 and Summer Bird next door in #3. We are seeing some price movement on Summer Bird, dropping from 11.0 down to 8.4 today. Zenyatta continues to hold steady at around 4.0- her price creeping gradually lower. Quality Road is listed at 13.0 while Twice Over has taken a drop down to 16.0. Turf specialist Gio Ponti is listed at 15.5 and represents good value if you are betting against the favourites. Richards Kid has been tipped to have a real go and this one and could be a bit of a Raven's Pass. Kentucky Derby winner Mine That Bird is listed at 29.0 while Einstein has been a popular option at 27.0. He's listed alongside Colonel John. You'll find Godolphin's Girolamo at 40.0 alongside Regal Ransom while Awesome Gem brings up the tail end at 75.0.