Go greys: Capri and Thundering Blue bid for Japan Cup glory

6.40am Sunday, Tokyo
Japan Cup in association with Longines | 3yo+ turf | 1m4f

Two popular greys fly the flag for Britain and Ireland in the 38th running of the Japan Cup with Capri and Thundering Blue contesting the Grade 1 showpiece at Tokyo on Sunday.

Alkaased landed the prize for Luca Cumani in 2005 but British and Irish raiders have drawn blanks since in a race worth more than £3.77 million.

A setback ensured the Aidan O’Brien-trained Capri was on the sidelines during the summer but the son of Galileo has been running well in recent leading contests.

Capri improved on his return in the Prix Foy when fifth in the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, beaten just over three lengths by Enable, then finished fourth behind Cracksman in the Qipco Champion Stakes at Ascot.

Ryan Moore, who won the race aboard back-to-back scorer Gentildonna in 2013, rides the 2017 St Leger winner and is hoping for a return to form despite a wide draw in stall 12.

Moore said: “Capri started the year in good form, winning at Naas in April, but had a bit of setback.

“He ran a very creditable race in the Arc and the Ascot race came along just a little too soon after that.

“He has good form but needs to come back to that.”

David Menuisier with his stable star Thundering Blue, who is the mount of Fran BerryCredit: Edward Whitaker

Juddmonte International third Thundering Blue boasts a progressive profile and has proved he can perform abroad with victory in the Stockholm Cup at Bro Park and a length second in the Pattison Canadian International Stakes at Woodbine last month.

It was a 28-hour journey from David Menuisier’s Pulborough yard to Tokyo for Thundering Blue and the trainer feels his stable star, owned by Clive Washbourn and the mount of Fran Berry, can run well from stall six.

Menuisier said: “Thundering Blue felt a bit jet lagged for 48 hours upon arrival but soon recuperated.

“His exercise has increased this week after being transferred to Tokyo racecourse and I’m very pleased with him. He moves well and feels great.

“It’s very hard to gauge the opposition in Japan as the horses over here mainly run against each other.

“Our horse seems well and gives us the right signals despite having had a long season, so I’m hoping he’ll run a good race.

“Even though he hasn't won a Grade 1 yet, I believe he has the ability to do so.”

The main hope for the home challenge is Japanese Fillies' Triple Crown winner Almond Eye.

Christophe Lemaire’s mount clinched Triple Crown glory with victory in the Shuka Sho at Kyoto last month, although faces a different task in taking on older horses and males and receives 9lb from the majority of her rivals.

Trainer Sakae Kunieda said of Almond Eye, who is drawn in stall one: “She looks leaner than she did before her last run as there's been less time between races, but she’s relaxed and her work has been good.

“She’ll be up against colts and older horses but she’ll have the weight advantage and the change to a wide-open course will be a plus.”

William Buick rides the Noriyuki Hori-trained Satono Crown and last year’s winner Cheval Grand bids to repeat the feat under Cristian Demuro.

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