Kew Gardens won at Royal Ascot before landing this for Aidan O’Brien a year ago and JAPAN was the impressive winner of the Group 2 King Edward VII stakes at Ascot last month. A close-up third in the Derby at Epsom before that, today’s ground looks ideal and he’s the one to beat in this. Stable companion Western Australia should ensure a proper pace but Charlie Appleby’s Jalmoud will need to step up on his second in a Group 2 contest at Saint-Cloud a fortnight ago. Roman Candle also represents Godolphin and the Group 2 winner and French Derby fifth looks best of Andre Fabre’s three runners ahead of stablemates Slalom and In Favour while Soft Light finished in front of Kasaman at Chantilly last time but was beaten by Jalmoud in Listed company here earlier.
In Favour (8-13) won at Maisons-Laffitte 1m 4f stks gs in Jun beating Rayapour (9-3) by 1l, 7 ran.
Kasaman (FR) (9-2) 4th of 5, 2 1/2l behind Al Hilalee (9-2) at Chantilly 1m 4f Grp 2 stks gs in Jun.
Japan 6-4fav (9-0) Held up towards rear, wide and headway entering final 2f, edged right and led approaching final furlong, ran on, won at Ascot 1m 4f Grp 2 stks (1) gs in Jun beating Bangkok (9-0) by 4 1/2l, 8 ran.
Western Australia (IRE) 10-1 (8-10) Chased leaders, 3rd halfway, pushed along in 4th early straight, ridden 2f out and no extra inside final furlong, 7th of 10, 5 1/2l behind Twilight Payment (9-11) at Curragh 1m 6f Grp 2 (1) gd in Jun.
Jalmoud (9-1) 2nd of 6, 3l behind Headman (9-1) at Saint-Cloud 1m 2f Grp 2 gs in Jun.
Roman Candle (9-3) 5th of 15, 7 1/4l behind Sottsass (9-3) at Chantilly 1m 2f Grp 1 gd in Jun.
Soft Light (FR) (9-2) 2nd of 5, nk behind Al Hilalee (9-2) at Chantilly 1m 4f Grp 2 stks gs in Jun.
Slalom (FR) (9-3) 12th of 15, 22 1/2l behind Sottsass (9-3) at Chantilly 1m 2f Grp 1 gd in Jun.
