He has not won for 13 months. He ran sixth in last year's Classic on his sole American start, and made one fleeting appearance from the quarantine barn here at Monmouth Park yesterday. For all that, the locals are besotted with George Washington. It is as if the ghost of America's first president has returned to the scene of his battle with British forces in the War of Independence.

The equine version did not disappoint. With Aidan O'Brien, his trainer, alongside on a pony, Gorgeous George completed one lap of the dirt track with customary swagger. The question now is whether he can ambush what natives insist is a fiercely competitive renewal of the Breeders' Cup Classic.

In his favour is the way he acted on the dirt last year. Mick Kinane, aboard then as now, is adamant he would have finished third but for a hefty collision two furlongs out. “He was certainly travelling at the time,” Kinane said. “This [ten-furlong] track is also less demanding, which will definitely help us.”

So too will the pony taking George Washington down to the start. Since returning from stud duties George Washington is more headstrong than ever. He now wastes precious energy on the way to post. Kinane grinned knowingly when he said his arms would not be sore before leaving the stalls this time.

Against him is the collective quality of the field. Lawyer Ron and Hard Spun should ensure breathless fractions, yet the Monmouth circuit does not favour late closers in the mould of Street Sense and Curlin. The most likely winner, then, could be Any Given Saturday, who smothered Hard Spun and Curlin when excelling over the course in August. George Washington can justify each-way support.

There is no denying O'Brien's confidence in his Breeders' Cup squad. Much of it stems from the presence of Dylan Thomas, who has obvious prospects in the Turf. However, even if the predicted deluge fails to arrive, sufficient rain has fallen to concern connections.

In Dylan Thomas's case the deal is simple: he would defy conditions if nywhere near his best. That Arc triumph was hard-earned, however, and since no one knows how he will rebound, he makes no betting appeal. The best approach is to sit back and savour the curtain call of a magnificent racehorse. On recent form Red Rocks, last year's winner of the Turf for Brian Meehan, inspires little confidence.

Europe's prospects in the Mile, once attractive, have subsided. The ground has gone against Jeremy, who represents Sir Michael Stoute, while O'Brien's Excellent Art has a mountain to climb. A berth in stall 13 exposes him to numerous perils — in particular the run to the first turn, which he may well reach on the wide outside.

Excellent Art's chance could evaporate there and then, since he has never raced round left-handed turns. He has two especially sharp ones to negotiate here, while slow ground will compromise his ability to see out a trip at the extreme end of his range. Kip Deville can take advantage.

By then, however, Europe should have registered via Passage Of Time in the Filly & Mare Turf. In a quiet moment Henry Cecil suggested the bay would one day match the deeds of Indian Skimmer and Bosra Sham, two of his finest racemares. If he is only half right, Passage Of Time will win comfortably.