Aidan O'Brien hoping for big runs from Japan and Magical as he chases third Arc

Japan, who is seeking a Group 1 hat-trick, and Magical, who has taken on big-race favourite Enable on four occasions and come up short every time, represent Aidan O’Brien as he bids for a third Arc win.

First successful in the race with the Kieren Fallon-ridden Dylan Thomas in 2007, O'Brien won the race at Chantilly in 2016 when Found led home an historic Arc 1-2-3 for Ballydoyle, beating stablemates Highland Reel and Order Of St George.

On Sunday, it is Enable who is on the verge of history, but Japan has increasingly been put forward as a potential party pooper when he takes on the brilliant mare for the first time.

Widely regarded as a serious Derby contender at the end of last season, Japan had a setback and went to Epsom with connections viewing his challenge there with more hope than confidence.

He performed with significant credit that day when finishing a close third to stablemate Anthony Van Dyck, and since then the Galileo colt, who hails from the family of 1998 Arc winner Sagamix on his dam’s side, has done everything right.

Japan: 'he’s done everything asked of him since Epsom and has kept progressing'Credit: Mark Cranham

First, he captured the King Edward VII Stakes at Royal Ascot, then the Grand Prix de Paris at Longchamp before coming out on top by a head in a ding-dong battle with Crystal Ocean in the Juddmonte International at York.

O’Brien said: “It’s nearly seven weeks since Japan won at York and we’ve been very happy with him during that time. He’s shown that he handles easy ground well and that a mile and a half trip suits him. He’s done everything asked of him since Epsom and has kept progressing."

Ryan Moore has opted for Japan over stablemate Magical, the mount of Donnacha O’Brien, and will be seeking a third win in the race after Workforce in 2010 and on Found three years ago.

While Japan is meeting Enable for the first time, Magical appears held by the dual Arc winner and facing a big task.

Magical (right): finds Enable too good yet again in the EclipseCredit: Getty Images

That said, she has twice run Frankie Dettori's mount to three quarters of a length, in the Breeders’ Cup Turf at Churchill Downs last year and again in the Coral-Eclipse at Sandown in July.

Magical goes into this race having posted a third top-level success when landing the Qipco Irish Champion Stakes over 1m2f at Leopardstown last month.

While O’Brien acknowledges the evidence of the form book as his four-year-old faces into round five against Enable, he reports her to be in “good shape” and ready to again do battle with John Gosden's superstar mare.

He said: “We were delighted with Magical's Leopardstown win and everything has gone well with her since. She’s very consistent, adaptable in terms of distance and handles ease, so we’re hoping for a big run.”

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