Japan out for first top-level win in the Grand Prix de Paris

Juddmonte Grand Prix de Paris (Group 1)| 3yo colts & fillies | 1m4f [Grande Piste] | Sky

After producing one of the best performances of Royal Ascot with a dominant display in the King Edward VII Stakes, Japan has the chance to seal a first Group 1 success and add ballast to the theory he might be the leader of his generation at Ballydoyle over middle distances, despite the fact Aidan O'Brien also trains the winners of the Derby and Irish Derby.

Described in the wake of that Ascot performance by Ryan Moore as "better than a St Leger horse", Japan has been playing catch up since a delayed start to his year in the Dante, after which he defied an alarming market drift to finish a close-up third to Anthony Van Dyck in the Investec Derby.

"He won well at Royal Ascot and has been in good form since," said O'Brien. "We're happy with him and he's shown that he handles ease in the ground."

Japan is likely to face a genuinely sound surface on Sunday as the watered ground was good to soft on Saturday and the forecast is for drying conditions.

After failing to cut much ice over 1m6f in both the Queen's Vase and the Curragh Cup, Western Australia attempts 1m4f for the first time and, while Wayne Lordan's mount would look the second string, it cannot be assumed his sole responsibility is to set an even gallop for Japan.

"Western Australia is dropping back in distance and we're hoping he runs well," said O'Brien.

Jalmoud back on happy hunting ground

Charlie Appleby is rapidly adding to his collection of French Group prizes and will harbour genuine ambitions of securing a first win in this historic event with Jalmoud, who showed plenty of guts to land the Listed Prix de l'Avre – a key trial down the years – over course and distance in May.

Jalmoud won a key trial for the Grand Prix de Paris, the Prix de l'Avre, over course and distanceCredit: Racing Post / Scott Burton

Another not to be suited by the demands of the Queen's Vase, he ran with credit behind the hugely progressive Headman at Saint-Cloud a fortnight ago.

Appleby said: "Jalmoud is a course-and-distance winner. Japan is going to go off favourite but I'd be disappointed if we don't run into a place. He put in that one disappointing start at Royal Ascot – I felt the mile and six was well within his compass but he was far too keen – but he ran a good race last time behind Headman."

Key statistic

Since the trip was changed to 1m4f in 2005, eight out of 13 winners had already tried the trip. By contrast, in the last eight editions, only one winner, Imperial Monarch in 2013, came here direct from the Prix du Jockey Club over 1m2½f

What the other connections say

Andre Fabre, trainer of In Favour, Roman Candle and Slalom
Slalom got left in the Jockey Club and then caught up to the field too quickly and ran out of steam at the end. He is well, he should be fine at the distance and Longchamp will suit him better. Roman Candle shouldn't have too much of a concern with the distance but he has some limitations. He is a nice horse but we don't know if he is a Group 1 horse yet. I was pleased with In Favour at Maisons-Laffitte where he showed that he stayed well and produced a turn of foot that I was not expecting. He will be ridden patiently and he can be there at the end.

Mikel Delzangles, trainer of Kasaman
Last time was a semi comeback run because he picked up a slight injury on his seasonal reappearance. He needs to come on plenty to figure in the finish but I think he has a chance of being placed.

Cristian Demuro, rider of Soft Light
He is a horse who continues to improve with both experience and the step up in trip. This is his distance because he takes a little while to get going but really picks up well in the straight. On the basis of his last run I think he has a good chance.

British names to note on the undercard

Marmelo makes a swift return to France for the 1m6f Prix Maurice de Nieuil (6.10) after doing all his best work late on when fifth in the Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud over 1m4f a fortnight ago.

"He seems in good shape and there are not many of the right sort of races for him," said Morrison. "Two weeks is not ideal but you've got to take your chances when you can and we thought it better to run him now and then maybe once or twice more before going to Melbourne."

Star Terms (red jacket) was beaten only a neck in third after a troubled passage in the Prix Marcel BoussacCredit: Edward Whitaker

The Richard Hannon-trained Star Terms ran the race of her life to be an unlucky third in the Prix Marcel Boussac on Arc day and returns to the same venue for the 1m4f Prix de Thiberville (7.25) after bumping into Group class opponents in a pair of Listed races at Newbury on her last two starts.

"She is in very good form at home and we're slightly searching for her best trip," said Will Edmeades, advisor to owner/breeders the Barnett family. "Ryan [Moore] thinks she will get 12 furlongs, he knows her inside out and we're glad to have him on board."

Charlie Appleby fields Saqqara King and Well Of Wisdom in the Listed Prix Roland de Chambure (5.00) over 7f.

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