Chris Wall eyes audacious Japan trip for July Cup fifth and Goodwood possible

July Cup fifth Double Or Bubble could be in line for an audacious trip to Japan for the £2 million Sprinters Stakes, and the attempt to pay her way will start this Sunday as she is due to line up in the Group 3 Weatherbys Stallion Book Supreme Stakes (3.35) at Goodwood.

While trainer Chris Wall and owner-breeder Salah Fustok would still consider footing the bill for the Japan trip, the progressive daughter of Exceed And Excel may only be around 3lb shy of earning a sponsored invitation from the Japan Racing Association for the contest, which is run on October 2.

"With the Sprinters Stakes, you can pay to go and they will accept us," said Wall. "On the other hand, if we get our rating up to a certain level we might get an invitation, in which case they will pay much of the transport.

"I think you probably need a mark of 115 for colts and geldings, and with the 3lb sex allowance that takes you down to 112. We're on 109 and if she were to win again I could ask the question as to whether they would invite her as opposed to us just sending her."

Chris Wall: hopes Double Or Bubble can earn an invitation to Japan's Sprinters StakesCredit: Alan Crowhurst (Getty Images)

Wall knows all about the Nakayama track having sent Ashdown Express to contest the same Grade 1 in 2004 having been beaten a neck by Frizzante in the July Cup.

"Nakayama is usually quickish ground and it's a stiff six with an uphill finish like Sandown," said Wall. "In many ways I think the track would suit her as long as she took to travelling."

Of more immediate consideration is whether Double Or Bubble will get her preferred quick ground at Goodwood, having missed her intended engagement on the Hungerford Stakes at Newbury.

"She's in the Supreme Stakes at Goodwood, where they've had quite a bit of rain," said Wall. "She's very much a top-of-the-ground filly and we just have to take a view nearer the time.

"We'd still go to either the Sceptre or the Park Stakes at Doncaster – I think there's time enough for that. She went to the Supreme and the Sceptre last year and ran very well in both so I don't think that would be a problem."

Misty Grey (near side): heads to Goodwood and the Group 3 Supreme Stakes on SundayCredit: Edward Whitaker

At Goodwood Double Or Bubble could meet the Tom Dascombe-trained Misty Grey, who was also nominated for the Sprinters Stakes but connections have been informed he will not be considered for the race.

"He'll go to Goodwood on Sunday and he's in great form," said Dascombe, whose charge will bid to bounce back from a disappointing effort in the Great St Wilfrid over six furlongs at Ripon.

"I think it was the wrong trip at the wrong track and we'll just draw a line through that. He could end up in Dubai or Saudi during the winter."

Francis Graffard confirmed that the third European entry for the Sprinters Stakes, Rozgar, will next run in the Prix du Pin with a view to the Prix de la Foret at Longchamp on October 2, the same day as the race at Nakayama.

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