France
premium
No stone left unturned in Japan's latest attempt at first victory
Yasuo Tomomichi (left) and Christophe Lemaire celebrate Makahiki's Prix Niel successCredit: Edward Whitaker
Japanese contenders increasingly arrive in France with not only the weight of home expectation but also a growing awareness among their hosts that their challenge must be taken seriously.
Japanese Derby winner Makahiki did not please everybody with his cosy success in the Prix Niel but the form of his victories at home stands comparison with the Classic generation in Europe, while connections are adamant he was not fully fit on his first run since May.
Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe card
Read the full story
Read award-winning journalism from the best writers in racing, with exclusive news, interviews, columns, investigations, stable tours and subscriber-only emails.
Subscribe to unlock
- Racing Post digital newspaper (worth over £100 per month)
- Award-winning journalism from the best writers in racing
- Expert tips from the likes of Tom Segal and Paul Kealy
- Replays and results analysis from all UK and Irish racecourses
- Form study tools including the Pro Card and Horse Tracker
- Extensive archive of statistics covering horses, trainers, jockeys, owners, pedigree and sales data
Already a subscriber?Log in
Published on inFrance
Last updated
Copy
more inFrance
- 'He's lower in the handicap in Britain' - confidence in French cross-country raider high as David Cottin brings two to Cheltenham
- 'I’ve trained some fabulous horses, worked with some excellent riders - maybe I have brought a little bit of talent to the table as well'
- 'He's in the same form as when he won at Cheltenham' - Leenders in bullish mood for Gold Tweet's Betfair Chase raid
- Auteuil: Peake on top of the world after Kaadam produces perfect display in Prix Maurice Gillois
- Auteuil: Gran Diose does it again for one of jump racing's great target trainers in Louisa Carberry
more inFrance
- 'He's lower in the handicap in Britain' - confidence in French cross-country raider high as David Cottin brings two to Cheltenham
- 'I’ve trained some fabulous horses, worked with some excellent riders - maybe I have brought a little bit of talent to the table as well'
- 'He's in the same form as when he won at Cheltenham' - Leenders in bullish mood for Gold Tweet's Betfair Chase raid
- Auteuil: Peake on top of the world after Kaadam produces perfect display in Prix Maurice Gillois
- Auteuil: Gran Diose does it again for one of jump racing's great target trainers in Louisa Carberry