Japan verdict: underwhelming or value for further in the Grand Prix de Paris?

Japan earned his first Group 1 victory in the Grand Prix de Paris at Longchamp on Sunday to defeat the Andre Fabre-trained Slalom by half a length. Robbie Wilders has his say on whether the Aidan O'Brien-trained winner could still be the real deal . . .

The bare result of the Grand Prix de Paris suggests Japan failed to live up to his billing as 2-5 favourite by defeating Slalom by only half a length.

However, the Epsom Derby third was always doing enough and you sense he could have pulled out plenty if a more serious challenge was mounted.