All roads lead to the big one for Japan's great white hope Makahiki

Japan's latest challenge for the Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe cleared its first hurdle as Makahiki recorded a cosy neck verdict over Midterm in the Group 2 Prix Niel under a confident ride from Christophe Lemaire.

Trainer Yasuo Tomomichi declared it “the perfect race”, though Makahiki's effort came in a slower time than both Left Hand's Prix Vermeille success and the win of Silverwave in the four-runner Prix Foy.

Lemaire was clearly trying not to give Makahiki too hard a time on his first start in more than four months, while a further extenuating circumstance emerged with the disclosure that he lost his off-hind shoe during the race.